Zulema Marroquin

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Zulema Zaida Marroquin, who left this world peacefully on March 10, 2026, in Edinburg, Texas. She was born in Brownsville, Texas, where her story began and where she developed the deep sense of family and love that defined her life.

Zulema pursued her education with determination and attended Texas Woman’s University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently pursued advanced studies at Texas Southern University, earning a Master of Arts degree. Throughout her career, she worked at several educational institutions, including the University of Houston, Houston Community College, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, and Texas A&M International University in Laredo. Her passion for education also led her to open the first Montessori pre-school in Laredo, which she successfully operated for 12 years.

Alongside her work in education, Zulema had a deep love for journalism and storytelling. She believed in the power of documenting the moments, voices, and experiences that shape our lives and communities.

Her love of writing extended far beyond her professional life. Throughout the years, she carefully chronicled many of her personal experiences and the life she shared with her beloved family and friends. Through her journals and scrapbooks, she preserved memories, reflections, photographs, and stories that became a treasured record of their life together. In many ways, those pages became her voice when she could no longer speak.

Today, those writings continue to bring comfort to her family and especially her husband, Armando Marroquin Jr., who lovingly looks through the pictures and words she left behind as he faces his own health challenges. Through her journals, her voice, love, and presence remain close to him and to the family she cherished so deeply.

Zulema was preceded in death by her parents, Sofia and Manuel Zamora, and her brother, Zaul Zamora. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Armando Marroquin Jr.; her beloved son, Armando Jamil Marroquin (Sonia M. Marroquin); her cherished grandchildren, Alejandro, Andres, and Adan; her sisters, Zeyla Campos (Antonio Campos) and Zoila Armendariz (Roy Armendariz †); and many extended family members and friends who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

Her love, wisdom, and kindness will remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind. Though she is no longer with us, the memories she created and the love she shared will continue to live on in the lives she touched.

A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Rivera Hillcrest Funeral Home,1300 N. I-69C, in Edinburg from 5 o'clock pm to 8 o'clock pm with the recital of the Holy Rosary to begin at 6:30 PM.

Funeral arrangements are handled by Rivera Hillcrest Funerals and Cremations of Edinburg.

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