Mary Dolores Nieto

Dolores Nieto, 78, born in Houston on April 15, 1936, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully, after an extended illness, and went home to be with the Lord on November 20, 2014. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren at the time of her death. She was one of 9 children, the youngest of 3 daughters, born to Ambrosio Lopez and Rosa Martinez Lopez. The Lopez family was one of the early arrivals in the 1920’s to reside in the heart of Second Ward (“aka Segundo Barrio”), which transformed into a predominantly Mexican American neighborhood in the East End of Houston. Dolores was nurtured, grew up and excelled in the mixture of two cultures---as she embraced her native language, cultural traditions and religious faith with mainstream society. She attended elementary school at Our Lady of Guadalupe and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School. At the age of 22, on October 18, 1958, she married the love of her life, Genaro Nieto, whose family had also settled in Second Ward, just down the street. Dolores was a devoted and wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. She loved nothing better that to be surrounded by her family and friends at gatherings, functions and fiestas. She was faithful in attending church and ministering to others about Christ and his teachings. She touched a multitude of lives by giving advice, encouragement and offering prayers to those in need. Her house was not only her home, but a place of warmth, love and laughter. Dolores was truly a gracious and beautiful woman inside and out. Her kindness, generosity, energy, humor, and love will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Elias, Felix, Daniel, Theresa Luna, Ambrosio Jr., Ruth Gonzalez, Eliseo and Eli.She is survived by her husband and children: Jo Ann Flores Ramirez and husband Arturo, Genaro Jr. and wife Melinda, and Mark; grandchildren: Katherine, Steven and wife Ambhar, Stephanie, Matthew, and Louis; great-grandchildren: Shelby, Luke, and Alex; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dolores’ family would like to recognize with heartfelt gratitude the doctors, nurses and staff at Memorial Hermann SE, DaVita Dialysis Center, Kindred Hospital Clear Lake and Bay Area and M&M Advanced Health Care, for their professionalism, empathy and unwavering kindness during her care. The family also wants to give special thanks to her daughter-in-law, Melinda Nieto, and her nieces, Linda Santos, Karen Diaz, Madeline Lopez, and Rebecca Lopez, for their countless visits to the hospital, and in particular to Linda and Rebecca for time spent with Dolores during her dialysis treatment, and to Melinda for her complete devotion, love and care at home. Dolores enjoyed living life to the fullest and was usually the life of the party. She wanted everyone to celebrate her life, instead of mourning her death, and wished for pastel and light colors, instead of dark and somber ones at her funeral.