Maria Cristina Villarreal

Maria Cristina Villarreal, passed away surrounded by her family January 19, 2018 at Angel Bright Hospice following health related complications. She was a strong woman to the end. She was born July 24, 1923, in Mexico City, one of 13 siblings. She studied medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Mexico (1943-1949), where she met Horacio Rene Villarreal, when both were third year medical students. After receiving her medical degree, they married and became partners in life for 55 years. Both opened a medical practice in Rio Bravo, Tamp. Mexico. In 1959, she immigrated with her family to Texas in order to support Horacio in his further medical education and career as a physician. In the early 1960’s, she was employed by Mexia State School as a General Physician. She worked there until the family moved to Temple, Texas. Maria Cristina was a pioneer in her own right, a woman from Mexico who became a physician. She was so passionate about her medical career that even until her later years, she would offer possible diagnosis when a family member shared symptoms they were experiencing. Although she did not obtain her medical license in the US she was determined to have recognized professional credentials here. She returned to graduate school and obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas in 1982. The remainder of her career was spent managing her husband’s medical practice in Corpus Christi. Dedicated to her husband and children, she instilled traditional values, especially to dream big. She was an example to her family emphasizing that as a woman with determination any goal can be achieved. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Horacio R. Villarreal, her parents, 10 siblings, and her son-in-law W.W.Parish. She is survived by her 5 children, Cristina Cronin, Patricia Parish Pitts, Luz Zeagler, Josefina Villarreal, and Horacio Villarreal, Jr. their spouses, Patrick Cronin, Uel Pitts, Larry Zeagler, and Laura Villarreal, 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters in Mexico City. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 with Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 27, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, in your local area, in her memory. Condolences may be offered at www.CageMillsFuneralDirectors.com