Marie Grace Peñaloza

Born on Thanksgiving Day in 1925, Marie Grace died peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025. She was strong, independent, glamorous and liked meeting new people. She was a native Texan, a Daughter of the Republic of Texas, who lived in San Antonio her entire life. She traveled to many places, including driving her Mercedes Benz from San Antonio to Mazatlán, Mexico, stopping at unique places, meeting new people and wearing the fine jewelry her husband Charlie made for her.

She was the only daughter of Miguel and Anita (Hannah) Patiño. She was inspired by her parents to work hard and have fun. During those Depression days it was common to have relatives live in the same house. And her cousins made perfect playmates.

At nearly 100 years old, she was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles G. Peñaloza; her second child, Michael; a grandchild, Charles Michael Peñaloza; eight aunts and uncles, and many cousins. Her living family includes her sons Charles Aaron (Mary), Phillip Michael (Emily) Paul Dion (Alice) and her daughter Feliz Marie Jarvis (Kirk). She has 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Although, Marie didn’t make her goal to live to 125, she lived a full life. At San Antonio Vocational and Technical High School (Fox Tech) she was Captain of the ROTC Sponsors and member of the Red Coats. During High School she also worked at Robert B. Green Hospital while taking nursing classes. She went on to Santa Rosa School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse when she graduated in 1946. All this activity gave her great opportunities to dress up, puff her naturally curly hair and meet lots of boys. She married Charlie in 1947 and marriage and family filled her life for the next 35 years. Still making enough time to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Incarnate Word College, travel to Mexico, Canada and Europe and see her children get married. After her divorce from Charlie, she was ready to work and to stay vital and young. She became a school nurse at the Harlandale School District and kept traveling (Cuba, Alaska, Costa Rica, South America). She eventually retired, sold her home, and moved into The Chandler Estate, an independent living facility. When they closed for renovations, she moved into The Meadows. At both residences she made many friends and became one of the oldest persons living in an independent living facility.

Marie Grace, loved the old movies on Turner Classic Movies, reminiscent of the “good ole days”. She also collected turtles in every shape and size and even had several live ones. Perhaps because turtles have a long life, just like she wanted and achieved.

Marie Grace, we love you!

Services will be at Porter Loring Mortuary - Downtown with visitation Friday evening May 30, 2025 starting at 5:30 pm followed by a Rosary at 6:30 pm. On Saturday, May 31, 2025 Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Catholic Church at 9:00 am followed by interment at San Fernando Cemetery II. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.