Ofelia M Fonseca

Ofelia "Fela" Fonseca, 78, of San Antonio, entered rest on January 15, 2022. She was born in 1943 in Cotulla, Texas, to Presciliano Morin and Ofelia Adams Morin. She is preceded in death by her husband José Fonseca; her parents; and her siblings: Francisca Salinas; Antoñia Ruiz; Santana Morin; Leopoldo Morin, and Catarina Hernandez Loved by so many both near and far, Ofelia will be missed by those who loved her most: her beloved children and their spouses, Joseph and Blanca; Rosemary and Robert; her dear sister, Sylvia; her special grandson, Nathan; and numerous treasured nieces, nephews, and cousins. A small service - with limited attendance and a mask requirement - will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 10 a.m. A link will be provided in order that others may view the service online. The daughter of migrant field laborers, Fela spent her school years alongside her family following opportunities for work from state to state. She had an infectious smile that could light up a room and a stubborn belief that anything is possible. In addition to her faith, Fela adhered passionately to the truth behind many of the "dichos" (sayings) she learned early in life. Among her favorites were: Querer es poder. (Will is power.) Si se puede. (Yes, you can.) El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz. (Respect for the rights of others is peace.) In that spirit, and after many years of working as an aide in the Dilley Independent School District, Fela pursued a college education beginning by commuting to Southwest Texas Junior College after work before eventually leaving her full-time job to earn her Associate's degree from Laredo Junior College and her Bachelor's degree in education from Laredo State University in 1990. Upon her graduation, she returned to Dilley ISD to begin her career as a professional educator pouring countless hours into equipping young minds with the confidence needed to pursue their dreams and make their own mark in the world. She then moved to San Antonio and continued her teaching career in the South San Antonio Independent School District where she worked for more than 20 years. During that time, she completed her graduate studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio earning her Master's degree in bilingual-bicultural studies in 1997. She retired from her beloved profession in 2013, after devoting many years to her students and fellow teachers, serving as both a mentor and a guide. To this day, it isn't uncommon to hear stories of the difference "Mrs. Fonseca” made in countless lives and the successes realized as a result of the influence she had in inspiring belief, first, in God and in the talents He places in each one of us. After retiring from teaching, Fela immediately stepped into her second career as a full-time caregiver for her beloved husband, Joe. She devoted all of her time, energy, and love to his care until his passing. Fela is already missed by all whose lives she impacted. Her children and loved ones take great comfort in knowing that the two sweethearts are reunited again and dancing together in heaven