Gregoria R. Chavez

Gregoria Rodriguez Chavez, resident of San Antonio, TX passed away peacefully at the age of 94 at Meridian Care where she enjoyed her later years. Gregoria was born and raised in Laredo, TX and graduated from Martin High School in 1939 as one of only two women in her graduating class-and also the only minority, Lipan Apache. She worked as one of the librarian's at Martin High School until the beginning of World War II when she became one of thousands of women who went to war. Gregoria began working for the War Department in 1941 as a teleype operator where her unique talents were quickly realized. Many women working for the War Department were tested in mathematics, foreign languages and in solving crossword puzzles. She was recuited to become part of a covert women's code breakers group, one of four in the country. As was later revealed, the Japanese would often send coded messages in Spanish. Gregoria was fluent in both English and Spanish and always proud of being able to complete the New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Her work was top secret to all her family and friends until she was 81 years old when she went to live with her daughter in New Mexico after her husband's death. She then relayed her story which included attending a luncheon with then First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who was touring the United States during the war and stopped and visited with the group. When asked why she never spoke of this before she simply said "We were told not to talk about it" Gregoria loved the Big Band Era being a big fan of Glen Miller and Benny Goodman. She and her Big Band Buddy, and her BFF, Elizabeth Thurman, danced the nights away to the sounds of "Strings of Pearls and Elmer's Tune." She was th only child of Lazaro and Vicenta Rodriguez. Gregoria was raised by her beloved Aunt, Cruz Rodriguez who encouraged her even though the Great Depression-to get an education. Gregoria's beloved husband of 57 years, Carlos G. Chavez of Del Rio, TX passed away in July 1998 after a short bout with cancer. Gregoria will forever be remembered by her four children; Antonio Chavez, Cesar Chavez of San Antonio, Joel Chavez and wife Kyonia and Nora Chavez of New Mexico. She treasured her grandchildren; Carla Cantor(Louisiana); Jillian, Jalen and Joni Chavez(New Mexico). From Laredo, TX Gregoria's remaining family members are Juanita Walls and her son, Guillermo Walls and his family; along with many other cousins. Her lifelong friend, Elizabeth Thurman is especially remembered and loved by her family. In San Antonio, her caring in-laws are Alicia Chavez and her husband Jose Chavez(deceased)and their loving children, George Chavez and wife Delores, Gilbert Chavez, Patricia Ramos and husband Rene, Joe, Rudy and Ruben Chavez, Mary Alice Stanford, and Martha and George Lozano and their children. Lifelong family friends, Marie Chappelle and husband Ernest (deceased) and their three caring children, Marie Chappelle II, and Ernest and Maurice Chappelle. Gregoria touched the lives of many people especially youth, through here work as an Assistant Librarian with the San Antonio Independent School District. The majority of her work years were spent at Burbank Junior & High School and in Highlands High School where she retired at age 65 after 16 years of service and received a Distinguished Service Award. Gregoria was also a registred member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 3:00PM at the MeadowLawn Tribute Center, 5415 . Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78220. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, San Antonio & South TX Service Area- 7400 Louis Pasteur, Suite 200, S.A, TX 78229.