Juanita Rangel Volpe

Juanita Rangel Volpe 93, entered eternal rest peacefully surrounded by her family on October 15, 2015 at her home in Weslaco. She is preceded in death by her husband Martin Salvador Volpe, her parents Jose Rangel and Maria del Refugio Pena Rangel, her sisters Hortensia Gracia and Rosa Gonzalez and her brothers Romulo Rangel and Candelario Rangel.
She is survived in life by her three children Leticia Volpe (John Williams), Maricela Volpe (Juan Gonzalez) and Martin Volpe Jr. (Ester Ramos Volpe). She is also survived by four grandchildren Roxana Gonzalez (Roxy), Maria Lorena Gonzalez (Lori), Marco Antonio Gonzalez (Marco) and Madelyn Jane Volpe (Maddy). She has one great grandson Samuel Francisco Hernandez (Sam).
She was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America & Confraternity of the Rosary at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Roma, Texas.
Juanita Rangel Volpe was born in Zapata Viejo, attended a Spanish language and later an English language elementary school. The family then moved to Escobas, an oil field boom town where she attended a one room school house until the eighth grade. With the financial and moral support of her brother, Romulo Rangel, she moved to Laredo and attended Holding Institute, a boarding school. After graduation she went on to work for United Gas in Bruni and Escobas. Five years later she married, moved back to Zapata Viejo and worked at the Zapata Post Office as a clerk. In 1957, when her husband, Salvador found work at the Liquor Control Board at the bridge in Roma, Juanita was excited about their move and their prospects for a new life.
After settling down in Roma and meeting many of the warm and friendly people she decided to continue her education. Together with some of her new friends she commuted to Pan American College in Edinburg. In the evenings she was a part-time student pursuing a career as an English teacher and during the day she became a substitute teacher. At Mrs. Canavan's request this position developed into a full-time job and Mrs. Volpe found herself teaching kindergarten, second and third graders. In 1960 she graduated from Pan American with a Bachelor's degree in English. She then went on to teach English at the Jr High and High School levels. She also coached many students in poetry and prose for UIL competition.
A&I then began offering classes in Roma during the evenings and on Saturdays. Mrs. Volpe received her Master's in Bi-lingual Education in 1977. She retired in 1983 but her commitment to education and the students of Roma endured.
She was involved in organizations dedicated to different aspects of education. She served as Director of the Pan American Round Table, a group that strives to educate its members on the cultures and customs of the Latin American countries so that through this knowledge a better understanding and friendship is gained. She attended national and international meetings in Dallas and Cancun to meet with members from many South and Central American countries. Mrs. Volpe also served as president of the Retired Teachers Association. This organization allows retired teachers to remain in contact with each other to keep abreast of current education issues and continue a life of service to their communities by encouraging them to contribute their talents and experience to the decision making processes in their communities. She also belonged to the American Association of University Women, a group that focuses on education and equality for women. Through her involvement with these various groups she has worked with people throughout the Valley to provide scholarships to deserving young students wanting to continue their education.
Mrs. Volpe enjoyed dedicating her time to school projects. She served on a committee that helped make technological recommendations on computers in the school system.