Our beloved Irene LaFuente Barrera, age 86, was called by our Heavenly Father on Saturday, August 10, 2013. She passed away peacefully at her home in Kyle surrounded by her loving family. Irene was born May 5, 1927 to Henry and Amelia LaFuente.
In 1946 she married the love of her life Alejandro (Alex) Barrera. They created a beautiful life together and were blessed with five loving children. This year Irene and Alex celebrated 67 years of marriage!
Irene’s life was rooted in the country and the great outdoors. She loved to preserve fruits and vegetables from the home garden. She made the best tasting jellies--plum, peach, fig, and pear. She also canned pickles: dill and bread and butter, the best ever!
She had a beautiful smile that would light-up any room. She never met a stranger and would start up a conversation with all. She loved good food, family gatherings, and outings with friends. She especially enjoyed dancing with her life-time dance partner Alex.
Irene was devoted to our Lord Jesus Christ and had great faith in the intercessions of La Virgincita de Guadalupe. Her prayer life was inspiring. She would start her prayer time early morning and would pray for all her family and loved ones and for those in need. Her family and friends knew to ask Irene to pray for them because of her special gift of prayer.
She was dedicated to her husband, children and she truly experienced great joy spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband Alejandro “Alex” Barrera, daughters: Mollie and husband Joe Flores, Alice and husband Bill Wollet, Minerva and husband Dave Evans, sons: Alex and wife Kay Barrera, and Mike and wife Maggie Barrera; seven grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren; sisters: Angelina Jaime, Rachel Hernandez and husband Rudy, and Julie LaFuente, brothers: Lupe LaFuente and wife Gloria, Raymond LaFuente and wife Sally, Henry LaFuente and wife Chris, David LaFuente and wife Belinda, numerous nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her father Henry LaFuente, mother Amelia LaFuente and brother Henry LaFuente, Jr.
Serving as pallbearers will be Nickolas Barrera, Michael Evans, David Evans, Matthew Flores, Marcos Barrera, and Jesus Mungia.
Family and friends gathered for visitation with the family on Monday, August 12, 2013 at Harrell Funeral Home, Kyle, where a Vigil Service and Rosary was also held. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, August 13, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kyle with Father Juan Carlos Lopez as the celebrant.
We wish to thank all the family and friends who visited Irene at her home while she was ill. Special thanks to Father Juan Carlos Lopez, communion ministers to the sick, and the faith community of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church for their love, support and prayers; and CTMC Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church (512) 268-5311 or Relay for Life of the American Cancer Society.
