On Monday, March 22, 2021, Barbara Elizabeth Cardenas died at the age of 74, in the comfort of her home with her nurse Amanda Hernandez, hospice specialist in her care, and surrounded by her family.  Bravely she fought the ravages of cerebral cancer to emerge twice cancer free after two brain surgeries.  In July of 2020 the cancer returned but was inoperable this time and was then diagnosed terminal.  Not one to be defeated her words in response after that diagnosis was "Well this won't defeat us.  You can be sad and you can get mad, that is ok, but we won't give up."  She was a spirit of pure joy, cheer and endless love.

Daughter to Margaret De La Garza and Richard Ferro, both deceased, Barbara was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas.  She graduated from both Thomas Jefferson High School and secured her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University here in San Antonio.  She worked most of her life at the UT Health Science Center Medical School in San Antonio and briefly at San Antonio Hospice facility.  She married Alberto C. Cardenas with whom she enjoyed a 43 year marriage with their son Francisco.  Barbara loved to travel and with her family enjoyed several different cultures and countries the world over such as Mexico, Greece, Italy, France, Jamaica, Belize, and the Caribbean Islands besides traveling all over the United States visiting relatives.

She was an active member of her church St. Luke's Catholic, where she was a Eucharistic minister for several years.  She was an active Guadalupana member, as well as serving as den mother, then a Boy Scout leader to her son Francisco's Cub Scout den.  She was always regarded as a jovial and cheerful person, the wife, friend, aunt, sister, and mother you would call just to hear her voice to feel better.  She will be greatly missed and remembered by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by her husband, Alberto C. Cardenas; her son, Francisco Cardenas II; sister, Mary (Peggy) Marcin; two goddaughters and nieces, Margaret (Margie) Marcin and Lenore M. Orta (Ted Orta); great niece, Olivia Claire Orta; great nephew, Samuel Joseph Orta; as well as multiple friends, cousins, and other relatives.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 16 ^th at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel.  Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 17 ^th at 10:00 A.M. at St. Luke's Catholic Church.  Social distancing and face masks will be required.

A reception will follow the mass at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse provided by the family from 11:45 A.M. till 4:00 P.M.

While she always respected tradition Barbara did not like the color black.  Butterflies, angels, flowers, and balloons were her favorite things because they were often colorful, her favorite time was spring and her favorite colors were purple and pink.  In keeping with that esthetic the family encourages those attending the events to come comfortable and in any colorful spring attire or mom's favorite colors.  There will also be a zoom meeting at the reception for those unable to attend in person and wish to participate, if interested contact family or it will be posted on Barbara's and her families Facebook.  All tokens of remembrance are welcome.