Maria Ella Barrera Saenz of League City, Texas, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 82.  She was born on a Sunday, February 8, 1942, in Falfurrias, Texas, to her parents, Eluterio Barrera and Aurora Gallegos Barrera.

Ella was born into humble beginnings, working in her youth as a migrant worker picking cotton and cherries with her family, but she did not stop there. After her brothers joined the armed forces, she turned the tragedy of her brother Gilberto’s death in the Vietnam War into an opportunity to finish high school in Alice, Texas. This was one of Gilberto’s final wishes and Ella’s opportunity to step out of the fields and into the working world. She worked various jobs throughout her young adult life, but it was at one of these jobs that her life was changed forever. It was at an Alice, Texas bus stop diner where she began working with her future husband Alejandro (Alex) Saenz. Now, as much as we would like to believe that this was a simple story of love and marriage it took many years, and plenty of time apart, before they would be wed in June of 1973.

She would always say that these times together at the diner with Alex were some of the best memories of her life. It was that time together when they truly learned about each other, but it was their time apart when she realized what all of that really meant to her. It was at this little diner in Alice, Texas where she learned about Alex’s strong character, amazing work ethic, and dedication to others, and he learned of Ella’s love of flowers, music, and everything Elvis Presley.  Most of all, Alex learned of Ella’s devotion to family, faith, and community. These were the values that Ella honored every day of her life.

She enjoyed visiting with family in Alice, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas, Bakersfield, California, and Pontiac, Michigan. She made long-lasting memories during those family visits and while on family vacations. She vacationed with family in Florida, California, Michigan, Hawaii, honeymooned in Niagara Falls, and even made it to Graceland. Her travels gained her many friends, strengthened her family bonds, and even allowed her to visit places she could have only dreamed of as a humble child.

Ella was a devoted Catholic parishioner and found honor in her ability to show her devotion through acts of service to the church and the community. She taught Continuing Christianity Education (CCE) at St. James Catholic Church in Bishop, Texas, helped with her daughter Aurora’s local Brownies and Girl Scout troops, and in Freer, Texas she even ran her own flower shop. Still, none of these stood out more than her work establishing the Bishop’s Lioness Club and being a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus at St. Mary’s of Expectation Catholic Church in League City, Texas. Through these organizations, she provided true acts of service such as arranging flowers and making cakes for weddings and funerals, providing the Eucharist in assisted living facilities, and in-home visits through the ministry. Ella was a beacon of light to all around her, and because of her devotion to family, friends, and community, she left us with a lasting impression of joy and sacrifice.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, Eluterio Barrera, and Aurora Gallegos Barrera; Brothers Apolonio Barrera, Gilberto Barrera, and Luis Barrera; as well as her sister Yolanda Perez.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-one years, Alejandro Sáenz Sr.; Daughter, Aurora Summa, of Clear Lake, TX and children Aaron Saenz, Nicolas Summa, Mercedes Summa and Elena Summa; son Alejandro Saenz Jr of League City, TX, his wife Cybil Joy and their sons Apolonio Pallugna-Saenz, Benicio Pallugna-Saenz, and Alejandro Saenz III; son Arnoldo Saenz of Yakima, WA, his wife Miranda and their sons Matthew Saenz and Andrew Saenz; and son Antonio Saenz, of Seabrook, TX, and his sons Jaxon Saenz, Jude Saenz, and Joshua Saenz; Brothers Eleuterio Barrera Jr, Enede Barrera, René Barrera and sister Beatrice Resendez.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 27, 2024, 11:00 am at St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church, 1612 E Walker St, League City, TX 77573, with a Funeral Mass conducted by Fr. John Rooney beginning at 12:00 pm.

Interment will follow the ceremony at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7801 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson, Texas 77539.