Sylvia Alamia Peña

SYLVIA ALAMIA PEÑA

EDINBURG - It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Sylvia Alamia Peña, who died peacefully on May 19, 2026, at the age of 87. Born in Edinburg, Texas on August 6, 1938, she was the matriarch and heart of the Peña family, spreading love and kindness wherever she went.

Sylvia was a member of a pioneer family born to Luis Antonio Alamia Sr. and Adelina Perez Alamia. Her childhood and school-age years were full, loving and family-filled as the oldest sister of six.Sylvia attended and later graduated from Edinburg High School. It was during her senior year in high school that she met the love of her life and future husband, Lionel Aron Peña. Although they were from neighboring communities providence brought them together at a local quinceañera celebration. In her words, "It was love at first sight." We barely uttered a word to each other, yet we danced all night to the song Stranger in Paradise and his eyes sparkled.Their courtship continued into their college years while they both attended Pan American College, now the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley. Sylvia pursued her studies in education from Pan American College and was active in extracurricular activities, including as captain of the cheerleading squad. Circumstances changed when Aron was accepted to and attended law school at the University of Texas at Austin. After a year of living some distance apart, Aron came home for the Christmas holiday to propose marriage to Sylvia Alamia. 

On August 22, 1958, Lionel Aron Peña and Sylvia Alamia Peña were married and immediately thereafter made their way to Austin, Texas to commence a married life that would last 67 years.In Austin, Sylvia took employment at the Texas Capitol with the office of the Secretary of State while her husband completed law school. Two years and two children later Sylvia returned with her husband to Edinburg, Texas to lay down roots and raise a growing family.Sylvia, her husband and family grew active in the community and at St. Joseph Catholic Church and school in Edinburg. She returned to her studies at Pan American College and graduated. She went on to receive two master's degrees from the College of Education in 1972 at the newly named Pan American University. In 1973, Sylvia was appointed Deputy Director of the University's Upward Bound Program, an early college career readiness program aimed at helping economically disadvantaged high school youth prepare for a college career. Sylvia is remembered for the lasting and meaningful bonds she made with her students and colleagues in a program which enriched the lives of many. She eventually retired from Pan American University in 1980 but continued to impact the lives of others by advocating for the value of a strong education.Sylvia was an art enthusiast and in her free time enjoyed oil painting and decorative crafts. She was a great lover of books and travel. She took pride in designing a home that included a balance of elegance and function. She loved holidays, events, and hosting memorable community and family gatherings and parties.Sylvia will always be remembered for her deep love of family. Her children were the light of her life, and she celebrated every milestone they accomplished as she was very much a part of their journey. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, colleague and friend. She touched the lives of so many people. 

Sylvia will forever be remembered for her elegance, beauty, wittiness, her laughter and her compassionate loving heart. She will truly be missed and will never, ever, be forgotten.

Sylvia was predeceased by her parents, Luis Antonio Alamia Sr. and Adelina Perez Alamia; her sister, Maria De La Paz Guerra and her husband Joe Guerra; her brother, Luis Antonio Alamia, Jr. (Marcy Alamia); her son, Mark S. Peña (Michelle Peña); her grandchild (John Austin Peña), her great-grandchildren, John Eric Peña, III, Atreyu Ricardo Garza and Daniel D. Ibarra Peña and brothers-in-law, Romeo Peña, Heraldo Peña and Manuel Roel Peña.

Sylvia is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Lionel Aron Peña; children, Lionel Aron Peña Jr. (Vivian Z. Peña); John Eric Peña (Cristina Peña); Evie Peña-Shives (Willy Shives); Jeffrey Paul Peña (Melinda Peña) and Dominic Peña (Lisa Peña); sister, Linda Alamia; brothers, Richard Alamia (Yolanda Alamia) and Rodolfo Alamia (Paula Alamia).Sylvia's legacy is carried on by her grandchildren: Adrienne Peña-Garza (Aquiles Jaime Garza), Aron Leonel Peña (Princess Anne Peña), Andrea Peña Saenz (Ruben Saenz), John Eric Peña, Jr. (Perla Peña), Alexander Peña (Bree E. Peña), Andre Peña, Gabriel Peña (B'yanka Pena), Luke Peña, Isabelle Peña, Juliette Peña, Ana Peña, Esteban Peña, Cecily Shives-Benson (Joe Benson), Ally Peterson (Andrew Peterson), Avery Peña and Natalie Peña.Sylvia's legacy is further carried on by her great-grandchildren: Aquiles Jaime Garza, Jr., Chelsea Peña, Aron Christian Garza, Aaron Austin Peña, Addison Rose Peña, Zoe Polk, Ashton Alfredo Peña, Payten Peña, John Oliver Peña, Aiden Darian Moreno, Alexandria Peña, Xiomara Peña and Andrew Charles Peña.

Having the honor of serving as Pallbearers will be Luis Gabriel Alamia, Edgar Anzaldua, Aquiles Jaime Garza, Jr., Aron Christian Garza, John Eric Peña, Jr., Gabriel Peña and Luke Peña.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Alamia, Rudy Alamia, Linda Alamia, Eduardo Roberto Rodriguez, Gloria Ayala, Rolando Peña, Dr. Miguel Nevárez, Dr. Eduardo Dario Flores, MD., and Chief Justice Jaime Tijerina.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. rosary Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Edinburg.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.