Sabina Ybarra Villarreal
June 8, 1926 – May 5, 2024
Sabina Ybarra-Villarreal was called home by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 5, 2024. She died peacefully surrounded by family. Sabina was born on the Frank Harper Ranch near Reedville and Martindale, Texas on June 8, 1926. She was the fourth of ten children born to Fulgencio and Pabla (née Guerrero) Ybarra. As a young girl she helped support the family by participating in all agricultural activities including harvesting cotton. More often than not you would find her sitting atop the wooden cart counting the cotton sacks after they were weighed. She frequently volunteered to corral the cows since it was one of her favorite activities. Sabina spoke of her family’s involvement and volunteer work at the local Roman Catholic church. She spoke fondly of a happy childhood on the ranch, having fun climbing the windmill, riding horses, playing practical jokes on her siblings, and praying.
During the depression the entire family moved to San Antonio, Texas. Sabina started babysitting to help the family financially. When World War II started, she worked as a waitress at Fort Sam Houston, where she witnessed the Japanese Internment Camp. She then proudly served our country by building bombs. Sabina would mention that she had to wear pants to work at the factory. At that time women were not allowed to wear pants at church, but she always snuck in to pray. Occasionally, she was asked to leave since she was wearing pants. Sabina wore many hats throughout the 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s working at locations throughout Downtown San Antonio. Some of her employers included: El Alameda Theater (usher & cigarette girl); Santa Rosa Hospital (orderly); and Sunshine Laundry (presser). In the 1970’s she started a long career as a paid caregiver. She worked as a care provider for the elderly nuns at the retirement home at the Incarnate Word campus. She retired in 1987, from Girling Health Care where she was employed as a certified respite caregiver for ill children. In the early 90’s, she returned to work as a caregiver for an elderly neighbor. Even though her family moved to San Antonio, Sabina frequently traveled back to the San Marcos, Texas area to visit her best friend and cousin, Alicia (deceased), and her extended family, whom she loved dearly.
Sabina was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church from the 1960’s to 2017. She also attended the Sacred Heart Senior Center for 14 years, where she received a volunteer of the year award. Sabina started attending St. Francis of Assisi regularly in 2016, after moving in with Jeanie and Juan. Her new “senior center” became the Meals on Wheels Grace Place Alzheimer’s Center. In 2024, Meals on Wheels honored Sabina by dedicating a bench in her name in their courtyard.
She is remembered as being giving, humble, loyal, trustworthy, funny, feisty, direct, independent, strong, tough, yet friendly, joyful, kind, loving and compassionate. She has been described as a protector by her grandchildren whom she adored. Sabina loved to sing, dance and tell jokes, especially riddles. She also loved to sing along at church during Mass. One of the songs we sang during her final days is “America the Beautiful”. She loved to travel. Her travels took her to: Arkansas, Arizona, Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, and Nevada. She made annual mini-pilgrimages to the Basilica of San Juan del Valle in the Rio Grande Valley. Her favorite places were Hawaii, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, and the Texas coast.
Sabina never let a day go by without praying the rosary. Everyone near her was required to pray along. She was a prayer warrior and family frequently called her to request intercessory prayers. The list of names of those for whom she prayed was long. Most days she spent over 3 hours praying. Her prayer books’ spines are cracked and broken. The pages are yellowed, chipped and worn. She loved her children and grandchildren greatly and would do anything for them. Her family and friends will miss her dearly.
Sabina’s final message to her descendants:
- Que gozen de la vida (May they enjoy life).
- Que salgan a viajar (May they go out to travel).
- Que visiten a sus familiares, especialmente los que no pueden salir de casa
(Visit your relatives, especially those who cannot leave home).
- Y que me vengan a ver (and come see me).
She is preceded in death by her parents: Fulgencio Ybarra and Pabla GuerreroYbarra. Her beloved daughter: Diana Villarreal-Gomez. Her siblings: Guadalupe Ybarra, Maria Ibarra, Raul Ybarra, Marcelo Ybarra, Maria Antoneta Moreno, Isabel Casillas, Antonio Ybarra, and Angelita Mesa. Sabina is survived by her youngest brother: Ruben Ibarra. Her brother-in-law: Jesus Mesa. Her loving children: Rosa Maria Mendez and her husband Ramiro Mendez; Jeanie Lopez and her husband Juan G. Lopez; Marcie Swonson and Lance Swonson. Her grandchildren: Eric Wilhite and his wife Cindy; Jason Wilhite; Arthur M. Dilworth and his wife Jessica; Mark A. Sanchez and his wife Tatiana; Odie Sanchez, Jr. and his wife Michele; Edward M. Sanchez and his wife Jillian. Her Great-Grandchildren: Tanner Swonson and his wife Samantha; Cody Swonson and his girlfriend Aisley Stevens; Blaize Swonson; Sydney Jackson and her husband, Stetson; Juliana Wilhite; Sabina Wilhite; Charlie Wilhite; Tristan Wilhite; Keala Wilhite; Joseph Ibarra and his wife Elizabeth; Julie Dilworth and her husband Angel Chaires; James Dilworth and his fiancée Angel Salazar; Kimberly Sanchez; Krista Sanchez; Michael “Mikey” Sanchez; and Natalie Sanchez. Her Great-Great Grandchildren: Eleanor Diane Chaires; Ryder Jackson; Aria Marie Wilhite; and Easton Marie Swonson born on May 4, 2024, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren/great-grandchildren/great-great grandchildren, and friends. A very heartfelt thank you to Marissa & Kenny from Carter Healthcare; UT Health Geriatric and Palliative Care; Prodigious Hospice; Sisters Care; Imelda and the entire staff at Meals on Wheels for the loving, compassionate care they provided to Sabina.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels San Antonio Alzheimer’s Services in memory of Sabina Villareal. Donations can be made online https://www.mowsatx.org/alz-services-donations or mailed to Meals on Wheels San Antonio, 2718 Danbury, San Antonio, TX