Virginia Quintanilla Cantu, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and now our guardian angel in heaven, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019. Virgie was born to Federico and Edelmira Quintanilla on July 18, 1935. She married her soulmate, Santiago Cantu, on February 24, 1956. They had recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary when he passed away on June 30, 2011.
Virgie is survived by her adoring children, Gracie Sanchez (Ray), Tina Ybarra, Leticia Cantu, and Jaime Cantu (Laura). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jessica Todd (Adrian), Christopher Sanchez (Edith), Erica Ybarra, Daniel J. Ybarra (Katherine), Ashley Tovar (Manuel), Tim Ybarra, Loraleigh McDonald, Jaime Mateo Cantu, Kamila Cantu and her great-grandchildren Ivy Lili Ortiz, Milagro Sanchez, and Emilia Ybarra. She is also survived by her siblings Mauro Quintanilla (Bea), Delia Arsuaga (Charles), and Raul Quintanilla (Rosie), Janie Aragon (Silver). She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews from both the Cantu and Quintanilla side-they were much loved. Virgie is preceded in death by the love of her life, Santiago Cantu, her parents, Federico and Edelmira Quintanilla, her brother, Fred Quintanilla, son-in-law Daniel Ybarra, and sister, Irma Cuellar.
Virgie lived a life of love for God, family, and teaching. A devout Catholic, she served her home parish, St. Patrick's Church, in many capacities over the last 50 plus years. She found her true calling in the heart of the Schoenstatt movement. She made her Covenant of Love in 1985, led a mother's group; and later served as Diocesan Leader for many years. If you happened upon her around town, she likely would have stopped to talk, prayed with you or handed you a Schoenstatt Novena to help guide your way.
After teaching elementary school for 33 years, she continued her devotion to education. She volunteered teaching adult literacy classes and helping elementary students learn to read. Her teaching heart never left, her life was a testament to learning.
Virgie loved her children but she lived her best life through her grand and great-grandchildren. Life was an adventure for her grandkids. Picnics with Grandma and Grandpa on the Capital grounds, trips to Disney and turtle releases at the beach, or simply picking up Bill Miller's sweet tea every day after school were some of the ways she made them feel special. Each of them felt so loved and would cry as they were leaving Grandma, and we think Grandma probably did too!
The family is extremely grateful for the love, support, and prayers bestowed on us over the last week. Special thank you to the staff at the Neuro ICU at University Hospital for their remarkable and compassionate care of all of us. Our hearts are heavy, but we find solace that Mom and Dad are finally reunited and celebrating their eternal love.
Public Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 pm. Friday, January 11 at Guardian Funeral Home with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. that evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 5830 Williams Dr., with Father Hector Vega officiating. Burial to follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park.
A Reception will follow immediately after the conclusion of the graveside services at The Schoenstatt Center located at 4343 Gaines Street Corpus Christi, Texas 78412.

Serving as Pallbearers will be: Jaime Cantu, Christopher Sanchez, Daniel J. Ybarra, Timothy Ybarra, Ray Sanchez, Manuel Tovar