Dr. Martha A. Zuniga June 13, 1951 August 8, 2012 Dr. Martha A. Zuniga went to join the Lord on August 8, 2012 at the age of 61. She was a devoted Catholic, and a veteran educator, having devoted her professional career over the past twenty years, promoting education as a teacher and administrator. Dr. Zuniga was born in Eagle Pass, Texas on June 13, 1951 to Amalia Renovato and the late George Martinez Sr. She is also preceded in death by her stepfather, Sylvestre Renovato. She grew up on Garza Street in Del Rio and attended San Felipe High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 from The University of Houston, Victoria. After being introduced to the man that would become the love of her life through her cousin Lionel, Martha & Ernest married on March 24, 1973. She joyfully worked as a homemaker for sixteen years, raising their three children. In 1992, Dr. Zuniga decided to move into public education and was hired as an elementary school teacher. She also earned her bilingual certification. Dr. Zuniga taught Spanish as an adjunct instructor for eight years at Victoria College and The University of Houston, Victoria. In 1999, Dr. Zuniga completed her Masters degree in Administration and Supervision from University of Houston, Victoria and then went on to receive her Mid-management Certification from the same institution. Dr. Zuniga achieved her lifelong goal of obtaining a Doctorate in Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2004. Most recently, Dr. Zuniga was the Bilingual and ESL District Coordinator in the Victoria Independent School District, a position which she was passionate about, until her retirement in June 2012. Dr. Zuniga is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Ernesto C. Zuniga, her sons, Ernesto Zuniga Jr. and wife Tami of Helotes, Texas; Edward A. Zuniga of Houston, Texas; and daughter Cynthia Z. Praszczalek and husband Przemek of Bangkok, Thailand; her mother, Amalia A. Renovato of Del Rio, Texas; her brother, George A. Martinez, Jr. and wife Beatriz of Del Rio, Texas. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Ava C. Zuniga, Luke J. Zuniga, Madeline L. Zuniga, Sebastian J. Praszczalek, Noah X. Praszczalek and numerous nieces and nephews. Public visitation was held at 4:00 PM with a rosary recited by Father Dan Morales on Friday, August 10, 2012 at 7:00 PM at Artero Memorial Chapels in Victoria. Visitation to resume Monday, August 13, 2012 at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, Chapel of Remembrance from 5:00pm-9:00pm with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Del Rio, Texas on Tuesday, August 14 at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Oscar Barrera, Ricardo Zuniga Jr., Rolando Aguirre, Martin Almendarez, Jack Anzaldua and David Valdez. Honorary pallbearers are employees and students in the Victoria Independent School District in Victoria, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations can be made to the Dr. Martha A. Zuniga Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Victoria ISD Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1759, Victoria, TX 77902. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 2020 Bedell Ave., Del Rio, Texas 78840 (830)778-2020 as well as Artero Memorial Chapels, 706 E. Crestwood Dr., Victoria, Texas 77901 (361) 575-3212.