Celia always made every effort to attend our annual reunions. In fact, if it wasn't that they automatically erase old guest sign ins you would have read Celia's message to our class. She couldn't understand why some classmates didn't attend our reunions...she wrote..life is short...get over it! Celia did not mince words. Celia made it to the parking lot outside Justice Hall in 2004 but couldn't make it in because she was in so much pain...but no one knew. Then in 2005, rumors were flying. It was at our 2006 that she sent me an e-mail she asked me to read to everyone and she let us know the truth.

a MESSAGE FROM CELIA MUNOZ BADIOZZAMANI FOR EVERYONE!

Cynthia and I were very blessed when we were able to have a slumber party with Celia after our reunion. We laughed, cried, shared photos, stories, and her belief that she was going to conquer her illness. It was the last time we saw or heard Celia's laughter.
I want to take this time to thank Tonieta, Celia's sister for contacting Cyn so we could see Celia one more time and also her daughter, Aisha, Beh, Aaron, and Mrs. Munoz for allowing us the opportunity to be with her. Also I want to thank Tony Delgado -- again it was a Class of 1970 classmate that escorted us up to see Celia...without him we wouldn't have been able to get inside.
Cyn wanted to say something special to her close friend and she got her opportunity at Celia's Rosary. Cynthia shares her story...

IN REMEMBRANCE OF CELIA

Celia and I were born two days apart at McAllen Hospital so most likely we were in the nursery together, but my first memories of her go back to first grade, 48 years ago. It was at Mission High School , however, where we forged a special friendship that continued through adulthood. Although we are sorrowful at this time, members of the MHS Class of 1970 has come together to honor a classmate we love so dearly. We give thanks today for being a part of her life and grateful for the memories she left us in our adolescent years.
Reflecting on those days back in high school, my classmates and I share a common memory of Celia, (also called "Celia" or "Cecil") which can be summarized in one word- laughter. She was truly a comedian with her creative and hysterical sense of humor. If Celia was around, we knew we were in for some laughs even if those laughs were at our own expense. She was sharp with her quick-witted tongue, endearingly assigning nicknames to some of her friends. At times she was direct in speaking her mind, and she was tough to challenge, but that was Celia. As a friend, you accepted her totally, just as she accepted you. How she loved being with her friends, often having get togethers at her house. She truly valued friendship indicative by her loyalty, kindness, and generosity. She was such a giving person, going out of her way to help you or a cause in any capacity. You could always depend on her to cheer you up when you were down.

Anyone who attended high school with Celia knows about her Eagle spirit. She loved to yell (which came naturally) and cheer her heart out for the Mighty Eagles at pep rallies, especially football games. Our Jr. Class could always depend on her to help us win the spirit stick, which we often did. Undoubtedly, her Eagle spirit, her lively personality and her comedic ability to spread laughter earned her "Most Popular Girl"� in our class her Soph., Jr., nd Sr. year. Everybody knew her and liked her. How could they not? She was a riot!

Celia's popularity also expanded outside the classroom with her acquired skill of wrapping/rolling houses. At our commencement 36 years ago, she was surprised to receive her high school diploma personally wrapped in toilet paper by a teacher (Mrs. Haugarth) who had once been the target of Celia's antics. In all fairness, Celia didn't do this all by herself. Some of us were her accomplices. These adventurous outings among others, however, would not have been possible without Celia's vehicle. Celia was fortunate to have her own car, and those of us who hung out with her were even luckier to have free transportation. Her wagon could be spotted miles away not only for its sound, but also for its distinct color of green plastered with large neon colored flower power decals. It was one of a kind, and it served its purpose even getting us over the Rio Grande River and back. Its standard transmission, however, made it difficult to drive (it was for me) if Celia was temporarily incapacitated. Her car may not have been air-conditioned, but the breeze was great especially when the front passenger window dropped inside the door panel.

In countless ways, Celia definitely did not fit the mold of a typical teenage girl. She marched to the beat of her own drum. She was courageous, so daring, so unafraid. She took risks; qualities that some of us admired. At the age of 16, she drove a motorcycle down the streets of Mission dressed in black, leather jacket and all. She loved the outdoors. Fishing and hunting were among her favorite pastimes not to mention swimming. Her summers were spent at the Fontana pool, where we would swim and dive for hours. Later, she went on to serve as a lifeguard there. Celia's talents never ceased. I recall she was the first female I’d even seen play an electric guitar- a twelve stringed guitar at that! She would hook it up to an amplifier and belt out Creedence Clearwater Revival's version of "Proud Mary"� with such ease. She was equally as great on the acoustic guitar. When she played the 1968 instrumental hit “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams, I watched her on the couch in awe. One would never guess she was self taught. I believe Arturo helped her too. We always had a great time at the Munoz house, especially when Celia played the latest songs on the guitar. We would sing along just enjoying the moment. She loved the popular Motown sound so much that she, Carolyn, and I were labeled the "Junior Supremes."� We would imitate them and consequently, Celia earned a nickname herself, "Diana Rusk."� She got to be "Diana"� because she was taller than us, so she got to stand in the middle. There was nothing Celia Munoz couldn't do. She was very smart, but I thought she was stretching it a bit when she was joined the Para Medical Club in high school. In my yearbook she signed her photo (in the group picture) "La Doctor."� Well, she wasn't far from that as her life unveiled. Her determination and tenacity endured beyond our high school years.
As we've gathered to say our goodbyes, I would like for Celia's Family, (Beh, Aisha, Michael, Aron, Mrs. Munoz, Arturo, Tonieta, Tonio) to know how much we consider ourselves blessed and honored to have had Celia in our midst. She lived her life to the fullest with goodness and love in her heart and faith in God. Celia, when our class meets at future reunions, know, Honey, that you'll be missed, but you'll be in our thoughts and in our hearts. We are comforted in knowing that you are at peace in heaven with your dad. May you soar among the angels in the presence of Our Lord. And on a personal note, Celia, I will miss our birthday celebrations, but Teresa and I will carry on, and we'll look for a sign to know that you are near. Till we meet again.


Love you always, "La Shorte"� Cynthia Garza Weber November 23, 2006