Grace Valdez

Graciela “Grace” Valdez, 72, entered the Kingdom of our Lord Thursday, January 6th, 2022. On November 24th,1949, Grace was born to Hector E. Valdez Sr. and Adela (Rivera) Valdez in Weslaco, Texas. Grace was a lifelong resident of Weslaco and was well known as a talented musician and entertainer.

Grace was born with outstanding musical abilities. She never took a lesson and was a self-taught prodigy. Grace spent her career entertaining around the country, playing the piano for numerous orchestras in Chicago, Detroit, New York, Florida, and Houston, to name a few. Many locals will remember Grace from her career as a Jazz piano player at Embassy Suites, where she and Rene Sandoval entertained regulars and guests for over twenty years. Grace played most recently at the McAllen Jazz Festival.

After retiring from entertainment, Grace went to work as quality control director for her brother-in-law, Dr. Aviles, and she loved her job. Grace was witty, light-hearted, and fun. In addition, she enjoyed ceramics and crafts, spending time with family and her cats.

Grace is preceded in death by her parents, Hector and Adela Valdez, and sister, Maxine Valdez.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Morin Gonzales (John) of Keller, Texas, Laura Morin Forrest (Kevin) of Mansfield, Texas, and son Rene Anthony Morin (Tracy) of Azle, Texas, siblings, Violadel Valdez, Cristela Aviles (Wilfredo), Hector Valdez Jr. (Elsa), and Robert “Bobby” A. Valdez, grandchildren, Tricia and Gabriela Gonzales, Christina Tejeda, Sarah Figueroa (Brandon), Drew Forrest, Samantha Crocker, Christopher Morin, David Morin, and Chelsea Morin, great-grandchildren, Christian and Jakob Estrada, Salvador and Thalia Figueroa, and Tucker Crocker, numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 9th, 4-9 pm, with a celebration of life at 6 pm.