MISSION – April Lisa Olivarez, 26, passed away on January 11, 2011 in Edinburg.

April was a graduate of Mission High School and also received a double master’s degree from UT-Austin in math and science education.  She was employed with the Austin ISD at Lanier High School and Mission CISD as a math educator at Rafael Cantu Junior High. She was active in her church, and was a Big Sister and mentor to several young people in Austin and Mission.

She is survived by her parents, Elias and Yolanda R. Olivarez of Mission; brothers, Leroy (Rosalinda) Olivarez of Palmview, Jesse (Clarissa) Olivarez of Hyattsville, Maryland, Eric Eli Olivarez of Mission; paternal grandmother, Severa T. Olivarez of Abram; and niece and nephew, Cassandra L. and Samuel M. Olivarez.  She is also survived by her boyfriend, Pedro Fuentes Jr., and his daughter, Audrey Lynn Fuentes of Mission.

She will always be loved and remembered by her many friends and students which she cared so much for.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 14, from 3-9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission.  A funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 15, at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission.   Burial will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.