Aurora Gaitan Canales

CANALES, AURORA ISABEL GAITAN Aurora Isabel Gaitan Canales, age 99, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at her residence, 29 days before her 100th birthday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1pm Saturday, October 25 at St. Francis Catholic Church with Rev. Sergio Lopez officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Rosary will be recited at 7pm Friday, October 24 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 1124 Washington Ave. with visitation to follow. Mrs. Canales was born November 19, 1903 to Juan and Maria Gaitan in Villaldama, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and came to the United States on October 27, 1919. She married Rafael Ralph Canales at St. Fernando’s Cathedral in San Antonio on February 3, 1929, and since then made Waco her home. Mr. and Mrs. Canales were proprietors of Ralph’s Shoe Shop which was located in downtown Waco for over 40 years. Mrs. Canales was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Rafael, her oldest son Rafael, Jr., her grandson, Everardo Gonzalez, Jr., a brother, Archie Gaitan, sisters, Imelda G. Pena, Guadalupe G. Mendez, and Concepcion G. Cordova. She is survived by four children, son, Argelio Cesar Canales, daughters, Yolanda Canales Gonzalez and husband, Everardo, Sr., Leticia Canales Berlanga and Yadira Alicia Canales, grandchildren, Yolanda Gonzalez, Rafael Gonzalez, Rodolfo Berlanga and wife, Michelle, Leticia Berlanga Villarreal and husband, Javier and Laura Berlanga Gallegos and husband, Diego, three great grandchildren, Javier Alejandro, Julian Axel, and Paloma Gisela Villarreal, sisters, Olvido G. Saenz and husband, Vicente, Consuelo G. Tomasi, Alma G. Munoz, and Gloria Gaitan and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Javier Villarreal, Diego Gallegos, Jr., Jesus Hernandez, John Anthony Herrera, Joe Frank Castillo and Rudolph Anthony Ritter. Mrs. Canales was the matriarch of her family and leaves behind many traditions of her faith, love for one another and family values. She will be greatly missed and always loved. Special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hillcrest Home Care and Community Hospice for their excellent care and to her beloved compadres Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herrera. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our ''Memorial Guestbook'' at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY