Dominga F. Cruz, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed peacefully in her home on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the age of 92, surrounded by her family. Born in Del Rio, Texas, Dominga lived a remarkable life marked by strength, independence, courage, adventure, friendship, and an unwavering determination to experience life on her own terms.

Dominga was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Oscar Rizo Cruz; her parents, Rafael Flores and Maria de Jesus Yanez Flores; her sisters, Elisa Correa, Marta Limon, and Teresa Torres; her brother, Francisco Flores; and her great-granddaughter Sofia Salas.

She is survived by her three children, Oscar J. Cruz (Rosalva), Marta A. Santellanes (Glafiro), and Zulma C. Fuentes (Jaime); her beloved grandchildren, Priscilla, Katarina, Kamila (Jose), Jackie (Roberto), Jeanna (David), Sabrina (Britney), Justin, Sean, Erika (Daniel), Laura (Jose), Diana (Travis), Karina (Chandler), Junior, and Veronica; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Manuel, Alena, Alonso, Zelda, Mia, Bjorn, Archie, Jose, Abram, Aiden, and Myla. She is also survived by her extended family and her beloved dog and faithful companion of 12 years, Leo.

Dominga’s adventurous spirit revealed itself early in life. As a young woman, she left Del Rio for a time to live with her sister in Big Spring, Texas. It was there that the travel bug first bit her, beginning a lifelong love of seeing what existed beyond the place she called home. During her younger years, her travels also took her to Michigan and Wisconsin, offering an early glimpse of the adventurous woman she would remain throughout her life.

As she built a family of her own, Dominga and her husband, Oscar, moved with their three children to Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, where they lived briefly before returning to Del Rio and making it their permanent home. There, Dominga and Oscar continued raising their family and built a life that would become the foundation for generations to come.

As her children grew and began building families of their own, Dominga entered another defining chapter. In 1987, she faced the loss of her husband, Oscar. In the years that followed, she moved forward with the strength and determination that had always carried her through life and became the matriarch of the Cruz family. Through changing seasons, celebrations, losses, and a family that continued to grow, Dominga remained a constant presence at its heart.

With her children grown, Dominga embraced the opportunity to see even more of the world. Her travels took her to California, Louisiana, New York, Washington, D.C., and even Canada. Las Vegas held a particularly special place in her heart, and just about every year she packed her bags and traveled there with her group of friends. Each trip added another chapter to a life already rich with experiences, friendships, and stories.

One of those adventures became an especially treasured family memory. In 1998, Dominga flew to Florida with her youngest daughter and granddaughter to meet her eldest daughter and her family. Together, they continued on to Walt Disney World, where Dominga shared the experience with six of her grandchildren. At 64 years old, she made walking through Disney World look like an easy task, keeping pace with the generations around her and displaying the energy and determination for which she was known.

Traveling came naturally to Dominga. She was never afraid to venture somewhere new, whether it meant leaving home as a young woman, crossing borders, traveling across the country, or setting off on another summer trip with her friends. Her fearlessness allowed her to experience a life many could only dream of.

For all the places she traveled, Dominga found equal happiness in life’s quieter pleasures. She loved to read and could lose herself in the pages of a good book. She loved to clean, and those closest to her knew the pride she took in keeping things just so. She valued her friendships, cherished her family, and found joy in both the adventures and ordinary moments that filled her days.

Family remained at the heart of Dominga’s life. As a grandmother, she played an especially important role in the lives of three of her granddaughters, Priscilla, Katarina, and Kamila, whom she helped raise alongside their parents. Her presence in their lives was more than that of a grandmother. She cared for and guided them throughout their childhood and into adulthood, creating a bond and leaving an influence they will carry with them always.

Dominga was a devoted Catholic, and her faith remained an important part of her life throughout the years. It was a source of strength and constancy through life’s joys, challenges, and losses.

Dominga lived a long life, but more importantly, she lived a full one. Her 92 years were filled with family, friendship, faith, books, adventures, challenges overcome, and places explored. Through it all, she remained unmistakably herself: strong, independent, adventurous, and unafraid.

As the matriarch of the Cruz family, Dominga leaves behind more than memories. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, each carrying pieces of her with them. Across the generations, she passed down her love of reading and the same traveling spirit that carried her to so many places throughout her life. Every book opened, every new place explored, and every adventure taken will carry forward a little of the woman who inspired them to look beyond what they already knew and discover what else the world had to offer.

Her family will continue to tell her stories, remember her adventures, and draw strength from the example she set. They will forever be grateful for the 92 years she was given and for the life she shared with them.

The life Dominga lived will remain a part of every person who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

Te amo, Abuelita.

The visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM; recitation of the holy rosary at 6:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 2020 N. Bedell Ave, Del Rio, Texas.

The visitation will continue on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home; followed by the Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 307 E. Losoya St, Del Rio, Texas.

The interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 5144 Hwy 90 East, Del Rio, Texas.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Homes, Del Rio, Texas, (830) 778-2020. Serving families with dignity and respect.