Irene A. Avila

Donna - Irene A. Avila, 89, passed away Friday, October 8, 2021.  Funeral arrangements are under the care of Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna.

Irene Adame Avila entered eternal rest on October 8, 2021. She was 89. Our mother was born December 14, 1931, in Donna, Texas, to Maria De la Garza and Julian Adame. Mom was one of seven siblings: brothers, Alfredo† (Eva) Adame, Oscar (Connie†) Adame, Julian (Hilda) Adame, Leo Adame, all of Donna, and two sisters, Elia (James) Melendez of Friendswood, Texas, Norma (Victor) Arizpe of College Station and sister-in-law, Mamie Farias (Fred†) of McAllen.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Julian and Maria Adame, our dad, Roy Avila, her brother Alfredo Adame, her sister-in-law, Connie Adame and daughter-in-law, Marisela Avila.

Mom graduated from Donna High School and went on to beauty school in San Juan, Texas, then met our dad, Roy Avila. They married and together raised four children: Roel (Marisela†), Joe (Rosie), Irma, and Rene (Melissa). She held a special place in her heart for her six grandchildren: Alejandra, Daniela, Illiana, Jennifer (Mike), Jerha (Jered) and Ryan and her three great-grandchildren, Tristan, Ava and Zoe. She also had a loving affection for her numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom worked at Donna ISD for 38 years in various capacities until her retirement as the district’s Tax Assessor Collector.  She was also a beautician for many years and was the owner and operator of Cut n Curl in Donna. With a sincerity of heart, she welcomed work as a gift. 

Mom was a devout Catholic, steadfast in her faith and was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Donna.  She was a proud Charter member of Rev Daniel J. Tuohy #2215 Catholic Daughter Court of Donna. Among her many contributions to the Donna community, she was a member of the Planning and Zoning Committee, an election judge for Donna ISD, a Rotarian, served on the RGVACO, and participated monthly in birthday clubs.

Mom was in a class of her own. She lived her life never drawing attention to herself. She lived a life of respect, integrity, service and faith. 

Faith and family were everything to mom. Her family fondly knew her as Nena. Her faith sustained her; she trusted in God and He provided. There is no way to put into words how special she was or how much she loved us and how she made each of us feel treasured. Taking care of her family was her mission in life, and she did it with grace, honor and love. Mom gave us the things money can never buy like long conversations over fresh-brewed coffee or her infamous tea, a special home-cooked meal, phone calls to check in or just a discussion on current events. She never missed a recital, graduation, birthday party or special event. She was a generous contributor to Hallmark.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are her sons, Roel, Joe and Rene, her grandson, Ryan (the apple of her eye), her nephews, Dr. David Adame and Dr. Fred Farias III. Honorary pallbearers are her brothers, Oscar Adame Sr., Julian Adame, and Leo Adame, brothers-in-law, James Melendez and Dr. Victor Arizpe.

We would like to extend a gracious thank you to our family, friends and medical team for all the prayers, visits, phone calls, food, texts, and the compassionate care provided to our mom.

The bible verse, 2 Timothy 4:7, embodies the life of our mother: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Mom lived a life of transformed grace. Every person who knew her can attest to her unwavering faith. She lived a servant’s life and modeled a servant’s heart. And for us, her children, she was the closest example of Christ’s unconditional love for us all. She ran the race set out before her. She is now resting in the arms of our loving Father; she finished well. 

We wish to share this bible verse, Matthew 25:23: His Lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler of a few things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

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