Rosalinda Rios Cruz

On Monday, June 22, 2026, Rosalinda Rios Cruz, loving mother, sister, daughter, and grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, in Houston, Texas. She was 74 years old.

The Cruz family will be welcoming visitors on Tues., June 30, 2026, at Hillside Funeral Home, 310 W. Hillside Road, Laredo, Texas, between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm. A Roman Catholic rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.

A funeral mass will be held on Wed., July 1, 2026, at San Luis Rey Catholic Church in Laredo, Texas, 3502 Sanders Avenue, at 9:00 am. A private inurnment service will be conducted at Calvary Catholic Cemetery on a later date.

Rosalinda Rios Cruz was born on July 23, 1951, in Grafton, North Dakota, to the late Espiridion and Marcela Rios. Rosalinda attended local elementary and middle schools, and later, Martin High School.

Rosalinda spent more than 20 years as a dedicated advertising representative for the Laredo Morning Times. She was a devoted employee of the Laredo Morning Times and made many lifelong friends during her many years there.

Over the last 15 years, Rosalinda was a dedicated employee of the United Independent School District, working in the UISD Office of Communications, and later at the Carroll Summers Aquatics Center. Rosalinda enjoyed being part of something bigger than herself, and she was deeply loved and respected by her coworkers, and everyone she met. She poured her heart into coordinating major special events, including the annual UISD Employee Years of Service Banquet, Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony, the annual UISD Athletics Coaches Convocation, and the annual UISD Partners “Fore” Scholars Golf Tournament. Affectionately known by all as, “Mrs. Cruzie,” she was instrumental in raising scholarship funds for graduating seniors and took great joy in serving UISD coaches, staff, and students at the athletic department and aquatics center.

Rosalinda has been described by family and friends as having a fun-loving personality, a great sense of humor, and a sharp wit. She was a woman filled with tremendous joy, a love for life, and dedication to her family. She was known for her generous nature and was always ready to lend a helping hand. She was loved by so many and will be remembered as a caring friend, second mom, and grandmother to all.

She loved to cook for her family and friends and will always be remembered for her extra-hot salsa, spicy menudo, picadillo pachucos, famous chicken salad, and delicious homemade tamales. She loved shopping for bargains, opening her home to others, caring for her many plants, and taking care of her “silly” gatos.

Above all else, Rosalinda was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. While her coworkers knew her as "Rosie," her greatest joy was her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Meema.”

Rosalinda is preceded in death by her parents, Espiridion+ and Marcela Rios+. In addition, to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Julia R. Vela+ (Horacio+), Conrado Rios+ (Senaida+), Francisco Rios+ (Elena), Osvaldo Rios+ (Marta), Hector M. Rios+ (Belia), and Rebecca R. Gonzalez-Arroyo+ (Hector).

She is survived by her loving children Roberto “Bobby” Cruz, Jr. (Laura) of Laredo, Texas, and Maria Ruby (Lawrence) Obst of San Antonio, Texas. Her beloved grandchildren include Lorenzo Tomas Obst, Isabella Ariana Cruz, Antonio Miguel Obst, and Gabriella Sofia Cruz.

She is also survived by her sisters Minerva Rios Cortez (Alberto), San Juanita (Janie) Rios Morales (Alberto+), Socorro Garza (Elias+), and brothers Dr. Arturo Rios (Constantinos Pavlitsos), Juan Rios (Emeteria Chacon+) and brother in law Conrado Cruz Jr. (Beatriz), as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and lifelong friends.

Pallbearers will be Lawrence W. Obst, Lorenzo T. Obst, Antonio M. Obst, Hector Rios, Jr., Alberto (AC) Cortez, Jr., Oscar Urdiales, Ruben Garza, and Francisco (Paco) Gloria. 

The family of Rosalinda Rios Cruz would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the medical professionals and staff at Laredo Medical Center, San Antonio Methodist Hospital, Serenity Home Care Services, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital, who provided such compassionate, dedicated, and sympathetic care to our beloved Rosie over the past few months. These individuals and their staff include Dr. Mateo Reyes, Dr. Carlos Cigarroa, Dr. Jorge Alvarez, Dr. Guillerhme Silva, Dr. Chris Brann, Dr. Bradley Rouche, Dr. Navneet Singh and Dr. Joseph Coselli. Also, Serenity physical therapists Jose Hernandez and Karla Gutierrez and Peter Palizo, Jennifer Buckley, and the entire team at HEB Pharmacy in Laredo, Texas. Your kindness and support comforted us immensely during this difficult time.