Alma Cervantes Kucera

Alma Esperanza Cervantes Kucera was born at 12:35 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Providence Hospital in Waco. She was immediately baptized into the Catholic faith while in the operating room by Fr. Timothy Vaverek, becoming a real-life Tiny Saint! She lived a very full life in just 23 hours, knowing nothing but love and comfort in the warmth of our arms and tons of kisses and snuggles from her siblings and all who came to visit her. Alma went straight from our arms into the arms of Jesus at 11:35 a.m. on Friday morning, May 8, 2026.

She is preceded in death by two siblings, an uncle, and her maternal grandfather. She is survived by her parents, Nicholas Kucera and Joanne Cervantes Kucera; three siblings, Temple, Rafael, and Joseph Kucera; paternal grandparents, Ervin and Janice Kucera; maternal grandmother, Denise Cervantes; Godparents, Deacon Robin and Carolyn Waters; and numerous beloved uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended family and friends.

In the months before she was due to be born, Alma was diagnosed with full Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, a severe, life-limiting chromosomal condition. Despite this diagnosis, Alma spent every day in her mother's womb kicking and doing everything she could to show us her strength and her feisty nature. Each new day was a miracle. During this time before she was born, she served as a volunteer at two different college sonography programs, helping to educate and inspire future healthcare professionals by giving them a rare and detailed look at a vibrant, beloved unborn child developing despite T18. She then further exceeded everyone's expectations by not only making it to term, but being born able to breathe on her own, wiggling and moving just as she did in the womb, able to coo and cry, even opening her tiny hands to grasp our fingers and opening her beautiful eyes more than once to gaze up at us with wonder.

A Mass of Thanksgiving will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Timothy Vaverek as celebrant. Burial follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. All are welcome to join us in celebrating the life of our Tiny Saint. We know that Alma is already watching over us all and will be praying for us from Heaven for the rest of our lives! She would have been a loud and proud St. Mary's Mustang, just like her siblings, and a Junior Catholic Daughter of America member alongside her big sister. Alma's life here was incredibly meaningful and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Grateful for every moment, we wouldn't change a thing even if we could.

Jesus, we trust in you!

In lieu of flower, memorials in Alma's name, may be made to the organization Abel Speaks (www.abelspeaks.org); St. Mary's Catholic School in West; our local West chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society; or to the New Melleray Abbey - Child Casket Fund (www.trappistcaskets.com or call 888-433-6934).