Longtime San Antonio Political Organizer 'Choco' Meza Passes Away

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Just hours before Democratic nominee for president Hillary Clinton prepared to debate her Republican rival, there was someone else on her mind: Maria de Socorro Meza -- affectionately referred to as "Choco."

"Saddened by the passing of Choco Meza, a historic figure in Texas politics & beloved friend on our team," Clinton wrote on Twitter just a couple of hours before the Oct. 9 presidential debate in St. Louis. "My prayers are with her family."

Meza, a longtime political organizer in San Antonio, passed away the day of that second presidential debate that featured the first woman in U.S. history to secure her party's nomination. As much as anyone, "Choco" Meza helped propel Clinton to break that glass ceiling, most recently serving as organizer for the Hillary Clinton campaign headquarters in San Antonio.

Whatever the outcome of the historic election, Meza, tragically, won't be able to witness the outcome. But her influence on South Texas politics -- particularly as a fixture in the West Side of San Antonio -- will be long felt.

"There are no words to adequately describe the energy and sheer force that Choco Meza brought to every organizing effort," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a prepared statement. "For decades, many of us have known that if Choco was on it, it was going to get done."

Meza died of cancer at the age of 64. A rosary and service is planned today, Oct. 16, in San Antonio.

Born in Zaragoza, Coahuila, Mexico, her family immigrated to Uvalde and Eagle Pass, Texas before she made her way to San Antonio. Informed by her own immigrant background, Meza made it her life's mission to ensure voting rights and equal representation for disenfranchised minorities.

Meza attained key positions in her long career in politics. She served as National Research Director, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project; Executive Director, YWCA and Partnership for Hope; HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Relations; Senior Vice President, San Antonio Housing Authority; President, American Sunrise; campaign manager including San Antonio lead for Hillary Clinton. She was a member of several organizations, including: the Democratic National Committee; State Democratic Executive Committee; Chair, Bexar County Democratic Party; US Presidential Scholars Commission; and the Bexar County Housing Authority.

She is survived by Daniel Meza, husband of 44 years; her son Danny Meza (fiancé Julie Gi Kim); daughter Ivalis (Manuel) Gonzalez; granddaughter Emma Maria; brothers Victor Gonzalez (Grace), Robert Gonzalez (Ana), Elva Benavidez (Roberto), Alfonso Gonzalez (Norma); 21 nieces/nephews and grand nieces/nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Alfonso R. Gonzalez and Josefa G. Gonzalez.

A visitation is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 16, at San Fernando Cathedral beginning at 6:15 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Funeral mass will take place at Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. in San Fernando Cathedral preceded by a funeral procession departing from the Angelus Chapel at 9:15 a.m.

Burial will follow at San Fernando Archdiocesan Cemetery #2 with a reception to follow at Port Authority Conference Center, 102 Mabry, in San Antonio.

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