Avelina De La Garza’s children remember her for tall stacks of warm tortillas, a short tolerance for funny business, a big emphasis on faith and family and a heart that was never too small to love one more.
De La Garza had 22 children, 86 grandchildren, 124 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren. Her life’s pride was her family, and her family said she was the shining star of theirs. She died Monday at age 87.
“She taught us to be good parents, to go to church and to take care of each other,” said 63-year-old Salvador De La Garza, who is fourth down the list of 22.
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9 comments
What a wonderful story! I grew up in a tiny family (only child with only 2 first cousins) and I can’t imagine what living in a family of 22 would be like! God bless this woman & grant her eternal peace!
What a wonderful story! I grew up in a tiny family (only child with only 2 first cousins) and I can’t imagine what living in a family of 22 would be like! God bless this woman & grant her eternal peace!
My grandmother, Daisy Hungerford, had 21 children; only one died at childbirth, the rest lived well into adulthood. She outlived six of her children, and died at the age of 86. That was nearly thirty years ago.
Ooops. I meant to say she was my great-grandmother.
I am one of 12 children in a traditional Catholic family (all Bush haters btw). My wife, and I are working on catching up with the women in the story. Currently we only have 6 but we are still in our early thirties, we hope God will bless us with many more.
What an inspirational story!!!
I hope my children can say the same about me…..
That story is so sweet! Thanks for posting it!
My grandmother had 12; I used to think that was the norm growing up.
Oh, how wonderful! Can you imagine having 124 great-grandkids and 20 great-greats before you die? How cool is that!