March 29, 1947 ~ September 5, 2026 (age 79)
Hortencia “Wera” Aldridge, 79, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at her home in Cleburne, Texas.
A Memorial Mass celebrating her life will be held on Monday, September 28, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Her burial will be a private family event.
Hortencia was born to Santiago and Dominga Cuellar of Robstown, Texas. She later married Vicente Leza and moved to Houston, Texas, where she began her family. She eventually settled in Cleburne, Texas, where she spent her later years caring for her daughter, Odelia Leza.
Hortencia was a woman of deep faith and a devoted servant of God. She lived her faith through the way she cared for others. She taught CCD, cooked for those in need, spent time with the elderly in her community, and never hesitated to pray for someone who needed a blessing. Her patron saint was St. Jude, and every day at 3:00 p.m., she faithfully prayed the Rosary in his honor. Her prayers were not just for herself – they were for her family, her friends, and anyone who needed them. But if you knew Wera, you also knew that her faith was only one part of the beautiful woman she was.
Wera had a gift for bringing people together, and one of the ways she did that best was through food. She was famous for her cooking and put love into every meal she prepared. Every year on her son Caesar’s birthday, she made his traditional enchilada dinner. Of course, she never made just enough for Caesar-there was always enough for everyone! She also made and sold her famous tamales, a tradition she passed down to her grandson Patrick, who continues making them every year. Many people told her she should open her own restaurant. Looking back, they may have been right. For Wera, food was never just food. It was love. It was family. It was gathering around the table and making memories. Family was what mattered most to her. Nothing brought Hortencia greater joy than being surrounded by the people she loved.
She had a vibrant spirit, a quick wit, and a wonderful sense of humor. She could walk into a room and immediately make her presence known. She made people laugh, loved having fun, and had a way of turning ordinary moments into memories that would last a lifetime. She especially loved to dance. So much so that she and her sisters were known as Las Pajaras. Their laughter, dancing, and unforgettable personalities became part of the family’s story-a story that will continue to be told for generations.
And if you knew Wera, you knew one thing for certain: She was going to tell you exactly what she thought-whether you asked her or not! That honesty, that boldness, and that unmistakable personality were all part of what made her so special. She was never afraid to be herself, and those who loved her wouldn’t have wanted her any other way.
Hortencia leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Jackie (Pat) Burgard, Caesar (Jessica) Leza, and Odelia Jean Leza; her grandchildren, James, Patrick, Greg (Lizzy), and William Burgard; her “Kanas” kids, Asia and Caesar Brown and Luna Ray Leza; her great-grandson, Trae Burgard; her sisters, Rosario Leza and Alicia (Roman) Garza; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Santiago and Dominga Cuellar; her brother, Julian Cuellar; and her sisters, Aruroa and Irene Cuellar.
Hortencia leaves behind more than memories. She leaves behind the sound of laughter around a family table, the aroma of her tamales and enchiladas, the prayers she faithfully offered for others, the stories of Las Pajaras, and the traditions she lovingly passed down. She leaves behind pieces of herself in every person she loved. Her family will carry her forward-in their kitchens, in their celebrations, in their prayers, in their laughter, and in every gathering where someone says, “Wera would have loved this.” Her life was a gift. Her love was a blessing. Her memory will be cherished forever.
Rest peacefully, Wera. Your work here is done. Your prayers have been heard. Your love lives on.
Be the first to comment