Violet Ponzio Zuniga's Obituary
Violet Ponzio Zuniga, 83, of Plano, TX went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas, TX.
Violet was born in Fabens, TX on Saturday, September 19, 1936, to her loving and thoughtful parents, Salvatore Ponzio and Adela Bernal. Violet loved and was loved by her siblings, Frank Ponzio, Charlie Ponzio, Lucy Parada, Sam Ponzio and Pansy Waller.
Violet graduated from Fabens High School in Fabens, TX in 1955. She was a star player on the Fabens Wildcats girls’ basketball team, averaging 24 points per game. She served as Head Cheerleader her junior and senior years. On her graduation night, she was named “Outstanding Senior Girl”, an award she always treasured.
While working at Popular Dry Goods Store, Violet was approached by a man with the FBI asking if she wanted to work a secretary in Washington D.C. She had several interviews but starting dating her future husband-to-be. When she received the engagement ring, the job at Washington D.C. became a thing of the past.
Violet married Ernest Lawrence Zuniga on August 4, 1957, whom she met on a blind date through his cousin and her friend, Armida Rivera. Violet and Ernest raised two daughters, Diana (“Dee Dee”) Violet Free and Elizabeth (“Lizz”) Violet Zuniga. Ernest wanted to honor his beloved wife by choosing the name “Violet” for both daughter’s middle names. The family moved from El Paso to San Antonio and then to Dallas with Ernest’s job promotions at Western Union. Violet and Ernest were married for 42 years until he passed on June 7, 1999.
Violet opened up “Ms. Violet’s Daycare Home” in Mesquite, TX. She helped raise many incredible children including Emily, Amy & Blake Fullenwider, Mallonee Merritt and her own granddaughter, Taylor Nicole Rife (daughter of Lizz Zuniga and Jeff Rife).
At the age of 64, Violet graduated with her B.A. in Arts in Sciences from Dallas Baptist University in 2000. She worked fulltime at Headstart of Greater Dallas while working on her degree.
Violet worked many years at Letot Dallas County Juvenile Department. She provided guidance, donations and food to many families she was assigned to assist.
While working at Letot, Violet enrolled at Amberton University to pursue her Master’s Degree in Counseling and graduated in 2007. Violet was proud to have her granddaughter, Taylor escort her to receive her diploma.
Violet was a faithful steward of the Lord and was a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church for over 25 years. In 1996, Violet became a member of Prestonwood’s Encourager’s Class that was led by Zig Ziglar. Violet was a proud member of the “Golden Girls” in her class.
Violet had a huge heart for helping others. She crocheted hundreds of baby blankets and hats for the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center. The Encouragers Class would donate yarn and cash to help with this endeavor. On February 17, 2020, Violet’s daughters (Dee Dee and Lizz), “sons-in-loves” (Mike and Chad), and close friend (Myra Poston), donated the final batch of blankets, hats and baby carriers while Violet was in hospice care. Myra reached out to a volunteer knit team who will continue this crochet project in honor of Violet.
Violet was an avid traveler. She traveled with her husband on cruises to the Mediterranean and Hawaii. Violet would raise funds to attend mission trips to visit South Africa, Venezuela, Jordan and Jerusalem. One of her most memorable trips was to Greece, Turkey and Rome with Zig Ziglar, his wife Jean Ziglar and Encouragers Class friends.
Violet had many passions during her lifetime. Violet was an accomplished poet who published two books Jardin del Amor (Garden of Love) and Sweet Aspirations written in Spanish and English. She won an award for her poem “The Plant” written in English and translated in four different languages. One of her happy memories was becoming a member of Toastmasters and receiving a “Blue Ribbon” on her 1st speech. Violet enjoyed puzzles, reading and watching the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks play.
Violet had two bouts of breast cancer 2006 and 2014-2020. Violet always had a gracious and positive outlook on her condition. In honor of Violet, please continue to support the fight for a cure by donating to: http://www.info-komen.org/goto/violetzuniga
Violet is survived by her loving children: Diana and Mike Free of Ruidoso, NM, Lizz Zuniga and Chad Teston of Rowlett, TX; granddaughters: Taylor Rife of Fort Worth, TX, Jenny Teston of Rowlett, TX; siblings, Pansy and Rich Waller of San Francisco, CA, Sam and Sally Ponzio of El Paso, TX, and many extended Ponzio and Zuniga family in Texas, California, New Mexico, Washington State and Indiana.
Visitation will be held at Restland Funeral Home on Sunday, March 8, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Violet’s Celebration of Life will be held at Prestonwood Baptist Church’s Faith Chapel on Monday, March 9, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. followed by a reception from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Prestonwood’s Fireside Room. Rev. Neal Jeffrey will be officiating. Guests are welcomed to wear hats in honor of Violet.
Violet will be entombed at the Whispering Waters Mausoleum at Restland Memorial Park. A private service will be held on Monday, March 9 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
One of Violet’s last scriptures she posted on Facebook:
Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
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