The loving daughter of Aurelio Melendez and Agripina Reyes Melendez, was born on October 24 ^th , 1923 in Lamesa Texas.  She was a woman of true faith and she not only believed it but she lived it.  She learned to love the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary as a young girl.

She used to say that she was her mother's shadow because her mother would sing hymns to the Virgin Mary while she was working her household chores and in the evening she would accompany her mother saying the rosary.  She was never seen without a rosary in hand throughout the day.  She would say ten or more rosaries a day and if there was a Mass at her local church whether it would be daily Mass or a funeral Mass, She was there.  She would say that Mass was the greatest prayer and it should never be missed.  Most of her married life was spent in western Nebraska where it would snow at times up to a couple of feet, but this would not stop her from walking to Mass.  Her faith was everything to her.  She never said an unkind thing about anyone and she would always tell whoever was saying something unkind to stop because if Jesus could forgive from the cross, we with our small petty grievances should also forgive.

Her whole life was in service to God and to her personal family as well as to her church  family.  She would make tortillas for the church functions.  She made over 1000 tortillas in one day for the church bazaare which was selling tacos and enchiladas for the church building fund.  She would roll out a tortilla with only 2 hits of the rolling pin and she would have 4 griddle pans going at the same time to cook the tortillas.  If help was needed serving at the church bazarre she was there.  If help was needed to wash the church albs and linens and iron them she would do that as well.

She loved priests because they would bring our Lord to us.  The priests who knew her were always drawn to her because they sensed mom's love for them.  Her local priest Fr. Collings gave mom the rosary his mother used, telling mom he wanted her to use his mother's rosary just like his mother always did.

She would help her much younger neighbor, who was disabled,  during the winter by shoveling her front walk.  This was when she was in her 80's.  She was always cleaning, praying and helping however she could.  Her entire life she was always busy inside the house and outside.  When dad put a new roof on their house there was mom working with dad picking up the discarded shingles from the roof and carrying them to the trash pile. Mom prided herself in making sure dad had the cleanest and shiniest food pail and the cleanest shirt and pants for work.  As for us kids she was always there with a kind word or a much needed hug and coming in the back door from a bad day at school mom would greet us and have something good to eat which would make us feel so much better.

When her family was extended by a daughter-in-law (Kris), and sons-in-law Steve, Fred and Mike, she welcomed them and loved each one of them.

Mom married the love of her life, Nicolas Lozano, on May 12 ^th , 1952 in Lamesa, Texas.  She lost her love this past June 23 ^rd , 2022.  For 70 years they were together and just 5 days short of 8 months being apart she joined her husband again.  And so in the span of 8 months we lost our loving parents.  Our hearts are broken but we are confident that both are in peace and in the loving arms of our Lord.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Nicolas Lozano, brothers Fedencio Melendez, Miguel Melendez, Arnulfo Melendez and David Melendez.  Her sisters Manuela Arce, Anita Leal, Luz Pena and Maria Ortiz.

Mom is survived by her five children Rose Lozano her eldest, Concepcion ("Connie") Miranda (Steve), Mike Lozano (Kris), Carmen Placzek (Fred), Mary Asmus (Mikel).  Her sisters Carlota Rodriguez and Ofelia Lucio.  15 grandchildren, Steven Miranda, Lila Jimenez, Melissa Gillis, Anthony Miranda, Joshua Lozano, Greg Lozano, Teresa Kellogg, John Placzek, Peter Placzek, Veronica Placzek, David Placzek, Thomas Placzek, Julia Placzek, Caleb Asmus, Jacob Asmus and 16 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, February 24, 2023, at Scott Funeral Home with a rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Friendswood, Texas at -11:00 AM. An interment will be at Confederate Cemetery following the services.