It is with great sadness the Quintanilla Family announces the passing of their beloved wife and mother, Maria Otilia Quintanilla. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 14, 2020, at the age of 75.
Maria was born on August 12, 1944 in Corpus Christi to Alfredo and Cruz De Leon. She spent her early childhood years in the small farming community of Chapman Ranch where as a young girl would set out to pick cotton with her younger twin brothers and sister. After the passing of her daddy Alfredo in 1949, at only 5 years old, alongside her mother, she transitioned her role from a big sister to a parental mother figure to her siblings. She attended Chapman Ranch, London Elementary Schools and South Park Junior High School. It was while she was attending Carroll High School where she met the love of her life and best friend Israel S. Quintanilla. They would go on to get married on July 20, 1968. They had two sons, Michael David in the spring of 1973 and Daniel Allen in the summer of 1977.
Maria, who was known as Mrs. Q to many, would eventually settle with her husband Israel in Corpus Christi where she worked for Lee Optical and Layton optical until 1977. She was an active member in the church at St. Cyril & Methodius, the Divine Mercy group, church choir and a part of the Moody Baseball Booster Club for many years. She was deeply passionate in her faith and that great passion was put into everything she did in life. From remodeling her home with her own bare hands or watching every one of her son’s baseball games as they grew up. Her voice could be heard all over the ball park cheering on her boys from their little league years all the way up to the bright lights at Moody Trojan baseball games. She was a swimming coach to countless nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends. If Maria wasn’t watching her grandkids playing sports, at a dance, cheer, or piano recital she could be found at the Coushatta Casino playing her favorite slot machines and eating crawfish. She was the epitome of “Matriarch” and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Maria is preceded in death by her father Alfredo De Leon, mother Cruz Salinas and her sister Hortencia (Horty) De Luna. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years Israel S. Quintanilla, sons Michael (Veronica), Daniel (Stephanie), her dear grandchildren Jonathan Villarreal (Chelsea), Aaron Quintanilla, Victoria Calderon, Luke Quintanilla, Isabella Calderon, Natalie Quintanilla and Kyle Quintanilla. Great grandchildren Liam Taylor and Alaska Rain Villarreal. She is also survived by her twin brothers, Reymundo De Leon and Reynaldo De Leon.
The Quintanilla Family would like to thank the staff at Corpus Christi Nursing and Rehabilitation Home. Zack Martinez, Mary Garza, and Elvira thank you for all your great care during her stay.
We would also like to thank the entire staff at Harbor Hospice. Paula and Elizabeth thank you very much for all your loving guidance and patience while she was home with us.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Quintanilla, Luke Quintanilla, Kyle Quintanilla, Alfredo De Leon, Juan De Leon, Cruz Riojas, Andrew Mendiola and Richie Guerra.
Honorary Pallbearers are; Reymundo De Leon Jr. and Jonathan Villarreal
The family will be receiving family and friends on Tuesday May 19th at Memory Gardens Funeral Home from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday May 20th at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church at 10:00 am with interment to follow at Memory Gardens Funeral Home.
