Candelaria Cabuto

Candelaria Maria Cárdenas Diaz Cabuto “Nana” daughter of Ponciano Cárdenas and Maria Diaz died in her home in
Waxahachie, Texas at the young age of 86 on June 25, 2020. Nana was preceded by her loving husband Hilario
Cabuto Jiménez “Tata” and her eldest sibling. Survived by 6 siblings, 7 children; Ramon, Hector, Concepcion,
Armando, Hilario, Martha, and Maria; 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Nana has a long lineage that dates back to bloodlines that of Spain and Mexican Indian. Nana was born January 29,
1934, when Lázaro Cardenas, a former revolutionary general was elected President of México and at the cusp of the
Mexican Indian War and the turning point of the Great Depression in Canela-Durango, México. This is why it comes
as no surprise that Nana was known as a survivor, having lived through the Spanish Civil War, WWII, México
Guatemala-Conflict, Cold War, Vietnam, War on Terrorism and countless others and having survived uterine, breast,
and kidney cancers before succumbing to lung cancer.
Nana was married to Tata for 44 years whom she met while working as a waitress. Picture it’s the 1950’s and popular
Mexican music is playing softly in the background most likely composed of Lalo Guerrero performing “Nunca jamas or
Tito Puente singing “Dance Mania” while a young Latina in her early 20’s works as a waitress at a restaurant in a
small town of México only to be glamoured by a dashingly handsome and smooth-tongued Latino while waiting on
him and his friends.
Nana was a devout Baptist, who loved the sounds of family and kids laughing. The family recalled fond memories of
Nana shortly after her passing of her singing or listening to Mariachi Sol De México or Chavez’s Vargas a Norteño
artist while keeping house. Oh, how she loves to dance, spend time at the beach when she was young, and raising
her children. Nana was a proud housewife, a lover of animals, food, and the occasional drink.
Nana was cared for by her loving daughter and best friend, Concepcion for the better part of 30 years. During which
time Nana would help raise many of her grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren. In the 80’s Nana and
Tata would drive her grandchildren who lived in and around her home in an old brown and tan station wagon and
bring them home to the smell of freshly made tortillas that were still warm so she could hear about the wonders of
their day. A tradition she kept up throughout the years until she was no longer able to cook but still loved to listen
about her family’s day away from the home. Although her last few years were riddled with health problems her days
were brightened while talking with family one on one, at large family dinners or gathers in Texas and México, sitting
on the back porch listening to the sounds of birds singing, her great-grandchildren playing, or bouncing a newborn
member of the family in her lap telling them stories and how beautiful they are and how lucky they were to be part of
such a loving and loud family. While the rest of us looked at her knowing how lucky we were to have her in our and
our children’s lives.
Nana was the protector and the shelter of this family. Today she is gone but she left her footsteps here so we can
follow them for the rest of our lives. Rest In Peace!
Love, Your Adoring Family.