Benita "Bennie" Peña's Obituary
Weslaco- Benita “Bennie” Peña, 81, of Weslaco, entered eternal rest surrounded by the love of her family on December 21, 2025. She was born on June 26, 1944, in Mercedes, Texas, and came from humble beginnings that shaped her strong work ethic, compassion, and determination. Bennie and her family were migrant farm workers for many years. In May of 1963, she married the love of her life, Rolando Peña.
Bennie began her professional career at Pioneer Hi-Bred International. While working full-time and raising her children, she never lost sight of the value of education. She returned to school in 1971 and earned her GED through Weslaco ISD, then continued her studies at Durham Business College in Harlingen from April 1971 to May 1972. Her ambition and dedication led her to a remarkable career at Pioneer, where she eventually managed International Sales for the United States, Central America, and South America. Bennie also worked as a Notary Public and offered bookkeeping services from home for many small businesses, family and friends. Through her work, Bennie built meaningful connections both locally and abroad—many of which became lifelong friendships. She retired after 30 years of devoted service.
A loving mother of five, Bennie sewed her children’s clothes when they were young and nurtured them with patience and care. She loved the outdoors, spending time in nature, and took great joy in tending to her plants. Later in life, she enjoyed watching college and NFL football with friends and family. Always eager to learn, Bennie took guitar lessons as an adult and courageously faced her fear of swimming by enrolling in adult swim lessons. Bennie also enjoyed traveling personally and professionally. She traveled with family, friends, and colleagues. Her career gave her opportunities to travel across the United States and internationally to Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Brazil.
Bennie was a devout Catholic and lived her faith daily. She and Rolando were longtime members of San Martin de Porres Catholic Church, where the entire family participated in the Choir. Later in life, she transitioned to St. Joan of Arc Parish. She instilled in her children the importance of faith, salvation, and living with purpose.
Giving back to others was central to Bennie’s life. With a true servant’s heart, she found her calling through Al-Anon. Her journey began during a time of personal pain and struggle caused by addiction within her family. Through Al-Anon, Bennie found healing, hope, and purpose not only for herself but anyone who crossed her path. On July 11, 1988, she began volunteering and devoted the rest of her life to Al-Anon’s mission of supporting families affected by addiction.
Bennie served in numerous leadership roles locally and at state and national levels, including Group Representative, District Representative, Public Outreach Coordinator, Texas East Area Treasurer, Texas East Area Alternate Delegate, Texas East Area Delegate (Panel 46), Area Al-Anon Process Person, and Alateen Sponsor. She helped start countless Al-Anon and Alateen groups and was especially supportive of Hispanic groups, often serving as a translator at Area meetings. As a gesture to the women in Al-Anon, she had handcrafted earrings and necklaces adorned with Al-Anon symbols, custom-made in Mexico. She shared this jewelry throughout the United States and abroad, offering them as tangible expressions of hope, love, and recovery—gifts that became deeply cherished by many.
Bennie was fearless in sharing her own story, offering encouragement through honesty and vulnerability. Her courage inspired countless others to heal, and her life touched more people than she could ever have known.
Her life was defined by her unwavering Catholic faith, deep devotion to her family, tireless service through Al-Anon, and pride in her professional accomplishments. Bennie’s memory will forever remain a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration to all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rolando Peña; her mother, Celedonia Garza; her father, Joaquin Riojas; her infant daughter, Maria Luisa Peña, who passed at birth; her brothers, Juan Rivera and Casimiro Treviño; and her sister Connie Zavala.
Bennie’s legacy lives on through her five children: Rolando Peña Jr., Gracie Ruiz and husband Rogelio Ruiz; Yolanda Kalkofen; Angela Morales and husband Israel Morales; and Jessica Rodriguez and husband Dr. Jaime Rodriguez, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Raul and Carlota Leal. She was a proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren, Stephanie Ruiz, Rogelio (Roy) Ruiz Jr., Stacie Lynn Ruiz, Vincent Abel Kalkofen, Gina Marie Collier, Brian R. Pena, Joseph C. Pena, Alyssa Morales, Samantha Morales, Israel Ray Morales, Roland Morales, Jacob J. Rodriguez, Lily M. Rodriguez, Joshua A. Rodriguez and a cherished great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren, Sofia Cajas, Elena Cajas, Josephine Fela, Penelope Busby, and Lukas Antonio Estrada.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a Holy Rosary and Sharing of Cherished Memories at 6:00 p.m., at McCaleb Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Bennie will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Roland Peña Jr., Rogelio Ruiz Jr., Vincent Kalkofen, Brian R. Peña, Israel Ray Morales, and Jacob J. Rodriguez. Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Rodriguez, Roland Morales, Joseph Peña, and Lukas Antonio Estrada.
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