Oralia M. Saldaña

It is with heavy hearts, we announce that Oralia M. Saldaña (Gina) gained her wings on March 9, 2024, at the age of 90. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. To all her grandchildren and the many that followed, she was known as “Momo.” Oralia was born in the Laureles Ranch Division on September 29, 1933, to Franciso and Valeriana Rivera Montalvo. She spent her childhood in the King Ranch Laureles Division with her parents and nine siblings. Eventually, fate introduced her to the love of her life Jose V. Saldaña Jr. (Guero) and on April 12, 1952, they married. They were married for sixty-one years until her husband Jose’s passing in 2014. During their marriage, Oralia and Jose moved to the Santa Gertrudis Division where they raised their five daughters and a son.

After devoting thirty years of service to working at the King Ranch Main House, Oralia retired and moved to Ricardo, Texas with her husband. To pass time, she enjoyed listening to music, watching novelas, doing word search puzzles, and most of all, spending time with her family. On beautiful days, Oralia loved sitting on the porch drinking her cup of coffee and watching her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren play outside. They always loved going to her house to visit and say hello to their beloved Momo as they played. She adored it when her youngest great-great-grandchildren would stop by. As soon as she saw them, she would say, “Aye viene mis huerquitos.” Oralia’s favorite holidays were Easter and Christmas because she enjoyed being surrounded by her many loved ones. She found joy and comfort in seeing her extended family running around in search of cascarones, opening Christmas gifts, and sitting down together to enjoy a home cooked meal. She enjoyed cooking and one of her most requested dishes amongst her grandchildren was Capirotada. Although, her favorite dessert was lemon cake made by one of her daughters. Oralia also loved getting dressed up and having her hair styled with little barrettes or as she would call them, “Mis plochitas.” Sunday was her favorite day because she knew that would be the day her daughters and granddaughters gathered in her living room reminiscing about the past, laughing together, and talking about things to come. She was a very caring, loving, and compassionate person and her strength was admirable to all.

In the hearts of those who survive her, Oralia leaves an irreplaceable void. She is reunited in eternity with her late husband, Jose V. Saldaña, Jr., her son Jose F. Saldaña (Perico), grandson Justin Rivera, and great-grandson Dustin Cody Garcia.

Among those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, whom she loved unconditionally, Maria (Julian) Saldaña, Gloria (Yndalecio) Hinojosa, Maggie Saldaña, Josie Torres, and Rosie Rivera; along with her 20 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, 4 sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. She lived to see six generations of her family.

The family will receive condolences from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary; with a rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. The following day, a mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. A rite of committal and interment will follow at Chamberlain Cemetery.

Pallbearers for her services will be:

Grandsons – Yndalecio I. Hinojosa, Jr., and Austin Rivera

Great-Grandsons – Michael Garcia, Jr., Joshua Vasquez, Mateo Guevara, Isaiah Rodriguez, and RJ Arrellano.

Great-Great Grandson – Malakai Carmona

Oralia M. Saldaña will be deeply missed by all those who loved her. She will forever live on in our hearts and memories. May she rest in eternal peace.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”