Mercedes Bueno Winer

When Mercedes Bueno Winer walked into the room, those in her company felt energy and enthusiasm and spontaneity and love. This was just one example of who Mercedes was and how she impacted those around her. Mercedes was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Mercedes wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries. Mercedes was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.

Mercedes was born on February 12, 1937 in Fort Stockton, Texas. She was the daughter of Arnulfo and Ysabel Bueno. Mercedes was raised in Texas. Always at the ready with a welcoming smile. While some who knew Mercedes might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Mercedes was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

Mercedes was raised with seven siblings. Her siblings names are Alexandro, Maria, Nanna "Irene", Pelone, Joe, Yolanda, and Danny. Mercedes was very accepting and supportive of her family. She was perceived as the central person in her family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Mercedes was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Mercedes well in her adult life and, along with her warmth and intuition and resourceful personality. Mercedes embrace an understanding of others and drew the admiration of many who knew her.

As a young girl, Mercedes was able to empathize and identify with a vast array of people and personality types. This quality drew her into a diverse group of friends and acquaintances. Mercedes was intelligent and had little trouble getting along with her peers. She was almost always the first to jump in when it came to playing games or participating in other childhood activities. In her spare time she liked sewing and cooking. Mercedes would take care of her grandmother after school. Mercedes had the ability to find amusement with almost any activity with her childhood friends.

Mercedes had a talent for making acquaintances easily, which in turn brought her an endless stream of friends. Mercedes was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. Assertive and outgoing, Mercedes was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. She always seemed aware of what was going on with people around her and throughout her life she made many, many friends. Mercedes was a member of the Lions Club and they all became good friends.

Mercedes's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. Mercedes was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.

Mercedes was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Mercedes, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a stabilizing routine in the Winer home. Mercedes' skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Mercedes was blessed with three children; one daughter Martha Pontillo and two sons David Winer and Eric Ernst Albert.

Mercedes was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was a member of the Lions Club. Mercedes was raised Catholic and she married her second husband, a Jewish man, Dr. Irvin Marvin Winer, after her first husband had passed. After Dr. Irvin Marvin Winer passed she renounced Catholism and became a Christian. Mercedes helped her Jewish husband, Dr. Irvin Marvin Winer, finish Graduate School and obtain a PhD in Astro Physics. Mercedes supported Professor Winer in his scientific accomplishments, including the Lunar Ranging on the Apollo missions to the Moon, as well as a hostess and support for his college students. Mercedes warmly opened her home to Dr. Winer's students and faculty. She was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and she used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for her beliefs.

Mercedes' love of improvising in her daily life was a perfect fit for her enjoyment of traveling. Her favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Traveling in a casual manner fit her personality well. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer. Favorite vacations included Maui, Hawaii, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Mercedes was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. She had one cat, Malcom and three dogs Greta Fritz, Frankie Stein and Maxwell "Max".

Mercedes Winer passed away on December 23, 2014 peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by all her children, grand children and one great grand child. Services were held at Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary. Mercedes was laid to rest in Heaven.

There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Mercedes. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Mercedes Winer for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage. Mercedes was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones.