Marissa C. Martinez, 31 of Maricopa, Arizona was born on December 10, 1976 in Albequerque, NM and entered into rest on November 19, 2008 while at home. She was 31 years old and graduated from Eastern New Mexico State University and was a sister of Kappa Delta Chi's Mu Chapter. She worked in collections and her survivors include her parents, Dennis Martinez and Cecilia Del Valle of Albequerque, and a brother, Javier Martinez of Maricopa, AZ.

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Marissa Renee Merino was born on April 11, 1979 in Houston, TX and went home to the Lord on August 21, 2000 in Galveston, TX after battling cancer. Marissa was a graduate of Incarnate Word and studied at Sam Houston State University, majoring in Spanish Education. It was Marissa’ fondest dream to work with special needs children and to share with them the devotion, energy and patience she possesed; qualities she left in the hear of those who knew her. Marissa was a member of Kappa Delta Chi's Zeta Chapter and Lakewood Church. Marissa will always be remembered for her strength, courage and her faith in the Lord. She was inspiration to all who knew her.

The Marissa Merino scholarship was created in 2001 in her memory, the first member of the Omega chapter. It is awarded annually to sisters who demonstrated financial need as well as outstanding dedication to Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc.

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Carmela Beatrice Izaguirre was born on July 1, 1980 and entered into rest on January 23, 2002 after losing her battle with Ewing Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Carmela was a Senior at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX majoring in Psychology. She was a member Kappa Delta Chi's Beta Chapter. Friends and family describe Carmela as a wonderful young lady with a heart of gold, a beautiful smile and a great personality. Her favorite part of being a sister of KDCHi was the community service events. Carmela planned to graduate with her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas A&M, attend graduate school and earn a Master’s degree in Child Psychology. She loved working with children and hoped for a big family of her own. Theresa Izaguirre said she and her family expected great things from her sister and are very proud of her accomplishments. “She was perfect in our eyes,” Theresa said. “We miss her terribly.

In the fall of 2002, the Beta Chapter established a scholarship fund in memory of Carmela. Community Service was something that Carmela emphasized in her own life, thus the scholarship is awarded to a Latina high school senior that exhibits an extreme dedication to service. Each year the chapter sells Bar-B-Q dinners to raise funds. This year, the chapter was able to award 3 scholarships to area seniors in the amount of $1000 each. They are able to recognize the efforts of the youth in the community, and at the same time, honor the memory of a sister who dedicated her life to the principle of service.

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Aweta Esther Totman, 28, passed away September 16, 2004 at St. Luke Hospital in Houston, TX from cancer. She was born to her proud parents George Totman and Esther Totman in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. She graduated from Rio Hondo High School in May of 1994. Then, later that fall she went on to attend Sam Houston State University where she would pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Aweta became a sister of KDChi in Fall 1994 at the Zeta Chapter.  She graduated from SHSU in 1999 and began teaching in the Humble Independent School District. Her father preceded her in death. 

Sister Griselda Sauceda Lopez, proud KDChi sister and Rio Hondo native, described Aweta as a very special person, one who was very giving of herself. “She fit into KDChi’s philosophy perfectly, she lived to help others and serve the Lord.” Friends, family and KDChi sisters will remember Aweta as an angel sent down to touch everyone’s lives; an inspiration for all to do the same.

The following was written by sister Griselda Sauceda López, Zeta Alum
As I attended her visitation and prayer service, I realized that what her pastor was saying was true. Why should I wish she was still here, instead I should be happy of the wondrous place she is in now. I just miss her so, and I did not get a chance to tell her how special she was to me or that I loved her.
Aweta Esther Totman was born to her proud parents George Totman and Esther Totman in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.They lived in Rio Hondo which is about 27 miles from Brownsville or South Padre Island, Texas. There her and her brother George attended Rio Hondo Independent School District and with their parents attended St. Helen’s Catholic Church.

Her father preceded her in death in 1983 coincidently of the same thing, cancer. Her mom was now a single mother raising two children. She and her sister Maria Castillo decided to combine their income, buy a house to live and raise their children together.Her cousin Connie was very little at the time, but together the three were like siblings.In Aweta’s secondary school career theunthinkable happened. On a trip to Brownsville with her family they wereinvolved in an automobile accident that left Aweta with a broken neck. Luckily she would be able to recuperate with several years of therapy.She graduated Rio Hondo High School in May of 1994. Then later that fall attend Sam Houston State University where she would pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Not just any teacher but a Bilingual Education Major with a minor in Spanish her native tongue. She graduated Sam Houston in 1999 and ever since then was teaching in the Humble Independent School District. I have known Aweta for a very long time because I too am from the little town of Rio Hondo. With a population of 1,800people you know everybody. My sister and her were friends and in the same grade and they graduated together. Our families attended the same Catholic Church. We even lived a street across from each other. I was very happy that in the fall of 1994 I had the pleasure of being her New Member Educator at Zeta Chapter. She became my Kappa Delta Chi Sister later that fall and we were even closer than before because we shared a special bond and secret.

Aweta was a very special person; she was very giving of herself. She fit into KDChi’s philosophy perfectly, she lived to help others and serve the Lord.Aweta was funny and enjoyed having a good time. I remember her first vehicle a brown truck that only drove forward because it could not go in reverse. Later having a new green truck and taking us for a cruise on Demon’s Road in Huntsville. When I heard of Aweta’s passing I was in shock and for several hours thought it to be a big misunderstanding. I made the sad trip from Laredo to Rio Hondo to attend all her funeral services. When I saw the countless people who had traveled from Houston and Humble in vans, whom were her colleagues and current church family and almost all of the Rio Hondo community, it became apparent to me that she was an angel who had been sent down to touch all of our lives and that while we are still
here on earth we should do the same. So even from heaven, Aweta is still teaching.

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