Sylvia Diana Lopez

RIO GRANDE CITY- Sylvia Diana Lopez, passed away September 28, 2017 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, surrounded by family and friends. She was 61.
Born on April 30, 1956 to Jose Leon Garcia and Margarita Carrera, Sylvia was a 1974 graduate of Rio Grande City High School and 1994 graduate of the University of Texas Pan American.

Respected for her strength, compassion and bold advocacy for underserved populations, Sylvia selflessly accepted the call of helping others as a Licensed Social Worker. Since 1999, she directed the social work department at Starr County Memorial Hospital, and spread her passion to help others as a graduate and undergraduate Social Work Field Instructor for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

A loving mother and an adoring grandmother who loved relaxing on the beach, fishing in the bay, and having family and friends over for beer and barbecue, Sylvia will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Sylvia is survived by her father, Jose Leon Garcia and her children, Dalinda Guillen (Ryan); Frank Lopez Jr.; her granddaughters, Cinco Demi and Viva Bonita Guillen; her siblings, Jose Leon Garcia Jr. (Marty); Ernesto Garcia (Nannette); and Elda Lopez (Romeo) of Rio Grande City, and preceded in death by her mother Margarita Carrera Garcia and daughter, Melinda Lopez.

Family and friends will gather for a Memorial Service Monday, October 02, 2017 from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Memorial Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 03, 2017. A private burial will later follow. Sanchez Funeral Home will be in charge of all funeral arrangements.