Maria was born March 19th, 1952 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Benita Coronel Cardenas (mother) and Aurelio Cardenas (father). She made her way to Brownsville at the age of 15, where she met and eventually married her husband of 55 years, George Neeley. They grew their family together, raised two daughters, and lived a peaceful life.
Maria was the matriarch of her family and her household- the paragon of strength and the cornerstone for advice in her boundless wisdom. She was proud and raised the girls in her family to be the same. She would often be found making her famous chiles rellenos and her family’s favorite, her rice, to share her love of cooking. She loved tending to her many plants at home when she ran out of people to pour love into. She cherished spending time with her great-granddaughters, Alessandra and Victoria, and lounging in her home with the family dog Sammy. You could count on her to be vehemently rooting for the Dallas Cowboys week after week, and trying her luck with her scratch-off lottery tickets day after day.
Heaven would be so lucky, so as to have gained an angel of her caliber. Throughout Maria’s life, she showered her friends and loved ones with every ounce of her passion, love, and care. We’ve learned to do the same in her honor.
She will be so dearly missed.
Maria is survived by George Neeley-husband, Rosie Neeley (Jorge Aguilar) - daughter, Veronica Neeley (David Perez) - daughter, Jessica Marie Peña (Victor Peña) - granddaughter, Stephanie Ann Perez (Joe-Izaak Castañon) - granddaughter, Alessandra and Victoria Peña - great-granddaughters, Cirila Berrones (Pepe Berrones) - sister, Constantina Cardenas- sister, and Benito Cardenas (Regina Cardenas(deceased)) - brother.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by Benita Coronel Cardenas - Mom, Aurelio Cardenas - Dad, Catherine Marie Perez - granddaughter, Martin Cardenas - Brother, Maria Luz Cardenas - Sister, and Maria Luisa Vela - Sister.
A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Chapel of Angels, at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista, 125 Mcdavitt Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78521. A mass will occur Friday, October 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1200 Lincoln St, Brownsville, Texas 78521. A burial will occur Friday, October 11, 2024 at 3:00 PM at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 Mcdavitt Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78521.
The pallbearers will be Jorge Aguilar, David Perez, Joe-Izaak Castañon, Victor Peña, Benito Cardenas, and Jose Berrones.
