Mary V. Parra

Maria “Mary” Viviana Arispe Parra was born in Schertz, Tx on December 2,1945 and passed away quietly surrounded by loved ones on May 8, 2024. She was the youngest of ten children, born to parents Lino Arispe & San Juana Gonzalez Arispe. She is preceded in death by 8 siblings, Benito Arispe, Elisa “Licha” Arizpe, Margaret “Mage” (Eduardo) Acuna, Narciso “Chicho” (Juanita) Arispe, Josefina “Pepa” (David) Gomez, Rosa “Roe” (Chano) Perez, Lino (Cruzita “Tita”) Arispe, Ofelia “Ofe” (Jose) Frias and survived by one living brother, Humberto “Bebe” (Lola) Arispe, along with a multitude of nieces and nephews from such a loving family.

She married Juan Jose Parra on November 22,1967 in Dallas, Texas and raised three children, Nora Kristine “Kristi” (Rubin) Leos, Claudia Araceli Parra (Kathy), Juan Jose (Veronica) Parra Jr. They have two grandchildren, Rubin Auriel Leos and Viviana “ViVi” Elise Leos, named after her grandmother. She also has two bonus grandchildren, Tsion Coats and Zuree Coats, along with two bonus great grandchild, Adrian Christian Alexander and Sebastian Gerardo, along with many extended “kids” that she claimed.

She began her career in insurance at a very young age, in downtown Dallas, as an insurance claims adjuster. Throughout her career she would work with both small and large companies, from working vehicle accident claims to worker’s comp claims, she became well known in her industry and trained many adjusters in her career. She always had a fierce dedication to her job and expected the best of herself and her coworkers, until she retired in 2012.

Just as passionate as she was for work, she was also just as passionate for community. She always supported her children’s schools, either through PTA, bake sales, chaperone, band mom, soccer mom or anything else the school needed. She was never too busy to make time for all events and activities for her children and the same as they became adults.

In community she had some organizations that she held dear to her heart. The breast cancer association, since she was a two-time 54-year survivor. Heart association, being in congestive heart failure, having had open heart surgery and having a pacemaker placed, she understood. St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, she wanted them to find a cure for all children suffering with cancer of any kind.

She was also strong in her Catholic faith. Raised in Schertz, Texas a small town with German roots North of San Antonio. She had plenty of stories to tell about growing up with discrimination in school and church, but that never stopped her and her family from being faithful in a small town. Growing up she attended Catholic school and public school for her education. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, was on the school board, church committee, Council of Catholic Women and part of the Ladies of the Assembly (Wife of a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus).

She never met a stranger and always had a kind word for all. Her smile was infectious, and her sense of humor would fill you with laughter. She will be greatly missed by all.