Obituary of Antonia Abila

Antonia “Tona” Quintana Abila, a resident of Ft. Worth, passed away at the age of 62 at 1:40PM CDT on Sunday the 16th of September at Texas Health Alliance Hospital.

Tonia was born on June 13, 1956 in Maclovio, Mexico to Victoria Quintana and the late Salomon Quintana, Sr., and was the eldest of 6 children. In the early 1970’s, she lived in Presidio, Texas driving her family to the fields to harvest onions, melons, and carrots, and spent her summers in Ft. Collins, Colorado harvesting sugar beets, potatoes, and cherries. She also spent some summertime living in Cactus, Texas while harvesting sugarcane in Dumas, Texas.

Tona moved to Monahans, Texas in 1974 where she continued her education and after a year moved to Pecos, Texas where she met her husband, Carlos Abila. On February 14, 1976, Tona and Charlie were married at Santa Rosa Catholic Church and had 2 children, Karla Veronica Abila-Robinson and Juan Carlos “Johnny” Abila.

Tona worked as a cleaner at a dry-cleaning service for 7 years and enjoyed working in the restaurant industry, working as a cook at Terrazas Restaurant for 5 years. For 10 years, she also worked as a housekeeper and cook to her parish priest.

In her free time, Tona enjoyed volunteering at her church and was involved in the youth ministry and was also a member of the youth choir. She also dedicated her time to planning religious seminars and retreats for parish staff and members of her religious community. For 5 years, she served as a member of the Diez y Seis de Septiembre committee and would also coordinate and manage a booth at the annual festival.

Tona loved to cook and bake in her free time, one of her favorite dishes being tamales. She especially had an interest in baking and enjoyed creatively experimenting with different recipes - she was well-known by many for her empanadas and biscochos.

Those closest to Tona remember her as friendly and social, someone who made others comfortable and feel as though they were a part of her family. She enjoyed dressing up,  dancing, and loved being around the company of her family, including her sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews. Tona was known to be direct and assertive but also compassionate and never made others feel uncomfortable. She enjoyed spending time in her kitchen cooking for her family and guests. She was loved by many.

Tona is preceded in death by her father, Salomon Quintana, Sr. She is survived by her husband, Carlos Abila; Her daughter, Karla Abila Robinson and husband Orion and their sons, Jason, Elijah and Braylon; Her son, Juan Carlos “Johnny” Abila and his wife Melanie and their daughters Allyssa and Gabryale; Mother, Victoria Quintana; Brother, Salomon Quintana, Jr. and wife Sylvia; Brother, Jesus Quintana and wife Celina; Sister, Manuela Valenzuela and husband Javier; Sister, Lupe Olivas and husband Rey; Brother, Arturo Quintana and wife Elisa; Numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends who she treasured dearly.

The rosary and memorial service will be held Thursday, September 27th from 6-8PM CDT at Forest Ridge Funeral Home, 8525 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76182. Mass will be held Friday, September 28th at 10AM CDT at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 4100 Blue Mound Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76106.

“When your beautiful heart stopped beating, my heart broke in two, knowing that here on earth, there will never be another like you.”