Sr. Maria del Refugio Gallardo, FMA, age 84, a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, died peacefully at the Salesian Sisters Provincial House in San Antonio, TX on December 24, 2016.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leobardo Gallardo and Ana Maria Toris, her brothers Luis Gallardo Toris, Armando Ramirez Toris, Alfonso Ramirez Toris, and her sister Celia Gallardo Toris. She is survived by her brothers Leobardo Gallardo Toris, Jose Ramirez Toris, Francisco Xavier Ramirez Toris, and numerous nephews and nieces.

In her 65 years of religious life she served the Lord joyfully as a Kindergarten, First and Second Grade teacher and catechist. She worked primarily at Mary Help of Christians School in Laredo, TX, St. John Bosco School and St. James the Apostle School in San Antonio, TX and is well remembered as a catechist at Holy Redeemer and Mother Cabrini Churches in Laredo, St. Alphonsus Parish in San Antonio, and St. John the Evangelist in San Marcos, TX.

Her ministry led her to Atlantic City, N.J., San Francisco, and Los Angeles, CA, and to Westwego, LA. During the summer, she was often asked to help the campers in New Jersey and Corralitos, CA with sewing and arts & crafts. When she could no longer teach due to her illnesses, she still served as a receptionist at the Provincial House in San Antonio where she managed to teach adults love for the Eucharist and for Mary Help of Christians from whom she nourished and strengthened her faith.

Sr. Refugio will be greatly missed by her community and all the Salesian Sisters. Even in her last illness she still engaged everyone in her interesting and amazing storytelling. She was an avid reader and often intertwined what she read in her stories - always teaching Gospel values to whomever she encountered. She loved her religious vocation and is now reaping all of the copious rewards of her years of loving fidelity.

FUNERAL SERVICES

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Salesian Sisters' Provincial House, 6019 Buena Vista St. in San Antonio, TX with the Rosary Wednesday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will be on Thursday, December 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the Provincial House. Interment will follow at San Fernando Archdiocesan Cemetery No. 2 in San Antonio.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sr. Refugio may be made to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians to help support young women in formation who are preparing to become Salesian Sisters.

Please send offerings to: Formation Program, 6019 Buena Vista Street, San Antonio, TX 78237. Thank you for your support.