Mary K. Keller Daniel

Mary Keller Daniel, age 92, of Victoria passed away on May 13, 2014. Mary was born on a farm-ranch 9 miles northwest of Devine, Medina County, Texas to Paul S. Keller and Frieda Poerner Keller on February 4, 1922.

She attended Shook Elementary School, a rural school on her parents’ property and graduated from Devine High School in 1939. She graduated from Texas A&I College in Kingsville in 1942 with a B.S. Degree in Home Economics and a teacher certification. She was head of the Homemaking Department at Mission High School from 1942 through 1945.

After a long engagement, her fiancé, Lt. Colonel Cicero H. Daniel of Mission returned from overseas when WW II ended and they were married on December 4, 1945 at the Ft. Sam Houston Chapel, San Antonio, Texas. They lived in Mission, Texas from 1945 to 1957 where she owned and operated a kindergarten. In September 1957, Mary and Cicero purchased the Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Brownsville, Texas which became known as Daniel Motor Company and they owned and operated until 1984. In Brownsville, Mary taught at Webb and Sharp Elementary Schools and Brownsville High School (now Hanna High). Mary’s work as a teacher helped sustain the family during hard economic times and assisted in putting their three sons through college.

In Mission, she was a member and officer of the Junior Service League and belonged to and served as an officer of P.E.O, a philanthropic educational organization. In Brownsville, Mary served for several years on the Advisory Board of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Schools, serving as president one year. During her service at St. Mary’s School, a new school was built. She and her husband were co-presidents of St. Joseph Academy Parents Club and also served as co-chairmen of transportation for Boy Scout Troop 3. In Brownsville, Mary was a member of the Brownsville Junior Service League, Pan American Round Table #1, and P.E.O. Chapter BU, serving as president for four years.

In 1987, Mary and her husband began a happy period of ranching in Lavaca County. Along with her husband and three sons they operated the 4D Ranch. She was Cicero’s “#1 ranch hand” often helping to work the cattle when there were no other helpers around. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Mary had a remarkable memory; she never missed remembering and recognizing birthdays and special events in the lives of her family and friends. She was able to remember names and events and often recalled these when she would encounter a person many years later in their life. Mary was a loving wife to Cicero, working with him to raise and support their family. As a mother she loved and supported her sons, and later her grandchildren and always encouraged them to be the best that they could be.

She is survived by three sons, Bill Daniel and wife Jane of Austin, Dr. Charles Daniel and wife Melissa of Victoria, and James Daniel and wife Marilyn of El Lago; her brother, Paul Keller of San Antonio; seven grandchildren, Ellen Daniel Williamson and husband Kevin, Dr. David Daniel, Mary Blake Daniel Vint and husband James, Dr. Meredith Daniel Traber and husband Michael, Paul Daniel, Mark Daniel, and Julia Daniel; and four great-grandchildren, Daniel and Rebecca Williamson, and 2 more to be born this summer.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Cicero H. Daniel of Victoria, her parents, Paul S. and Frieda J. Keller of Devine and sister, Henrietta Bendele of Devine.

A rosary will be recited on Friday, May 16, 2014 at 5:30 pm, Colonial Funeral Home followed by a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, May 17, 2014, at Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. George Henninger officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers are David Daniel, Paul Daniel, Mark Daniel, Robert Bendele, Marvin Bendele and James Keller. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kevin Williamson, James Vint, Michael Traber and Dr. Gulshan Minocha.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Mary’s loving care-givers, Pauline Littles, Donna Barefield, Norma Z. Robinson, Tiffany Ceasar, Jessica DiSilvestro, Erica Poore, Cynthia Garley.

In memory of Mary K. Daniel, contributions may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, MD Anderson Hospital or the charity of your choice.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Arrangements under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, TX.