Mary R. Contreras went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Preceded in death by her husband Abel Contreras Sr., her father Federico Rodriguez and her mother the former Maria Vasquez, step-father Emilio Martinez, infant daughter, Sandra R. Contreras, her sister Margaret (Connie) Lopez and brother Sammy Martinez.
She is survived by four sons and a daughter: Abel (Sylvia) Contreras Jr., Floyd (Ruby) Contreras, Fred (Beth Andersen) Contreras, Robert (Gail) Contreras and Sandra (Vicki Seder) Contreras. Seven grandchildren Fred Jr, Valerie Hernandez, Loressa Martinez (John), Floyd Steven Contreras, Jacob Contreras, Robert Abel Contreras and Ryan Contreras.
There are also, five great-grandchildren Maricela (Ruben Trevino) Villareal, Lucian and Cristian Hernandez, Victoria Villareal, and Natalie Martinez.
Mary was very proud of one great-great-grand daughter Adrianna.
Surviving siblings include brother Fred Rodriguez Sr., sister Rebecca (Becky) Brewer and sister Lupita (John) Canady.
Mary Contreras was born in San Antonio, Texas. As was common, she acquired a nickname “Tita” which stayed with her all her life.
Mary was a fun-loving person, who enjoyed celebrating special occasions with her family including holidays, birthdays and anniversaries, football games and Spurs basketball games. Thanksgiving, and Christmas were special times with her family. As a group the Contreras siblings’ provided their Mom and Dad with season tickets to Spurs basketball games. They attended as many games as they could until Abel Sr. passed. She still enjoyed watching games on television.
She spent time volunteering at Holy Rosary as a greeter and helped count weekly offerings on Mondays. She also liked attending and helping at Friday morning mass at the nursing home before her health began to prevent her from attending. She also loved the countless times she and her friends from church would go to breakfast together after most of these events. Her friends were great companions through her later years.
She enjoyed close relationships with her siblings. Mary and her sister Becky would spend countless hours together, going to doctors’ appointments and enjoying dining together. She and her siblings enjoyed spending time together.
She had spent a lot of her time helping with foster care. There were hundreds of children that needed care through local adoption agency. With the help of her husband, Abel, many were provided temporary homes until they could be adopted. Through the adoption agency many of the adopting parent kept in touch with Mary.
Viewing will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home at 6321 Bandera Road on Tuesday, April 23,2019. The Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM following viewing. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 159 Camino Santa Maria followed by the burial at San Fernando Cemetery II at 746 Castroville Road.
The family would like to thank Father John Monahan and Father Chris for their prayers and comforting. The family will always be thankful to Dr. Gregory Guzley curing the cancer Mary Contreras battled seventeen years ago and providing medical advice when needed throughout her life.
Special thanks for the staff at Morningside Manor.
The Contreras Family thank the countless number of friends and family that were part of her life and helped celebrate her ninety-two years of life.
In lieu of flowers Mary Contreras requested donations be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
