Mary Hernandez Bitela, 67, of Dallas passed away July 30, 2014, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Though it was less than a year from diagnosis to her death, she fought hard and stayed positive. Mary was a lifelong Dallas resident. A 1965 graduate of St. Ann’s Catholic School, she was class valedictorian and a member of the last graduating class. She worked in the education department at The Science Place for 20 years. After her time there, she worked at St. Paul Hospital (UT Southwestern) in nutrition services and then later in ophthalmology at Aston. St. Paul always had a special place in her heart as she worked there in her younger years and all three of her daughters were born there. She retired in January 2013. During her girls’ education at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Mary was very active in the PTA and Girl Scouts. She earned many awards for her leadership and volunteerism. Mary is survived by her three daughters: Carolyn Bitela Owen and husband Richard, Kristina Bitela Steinhauser and husband Kyle, and Adrienne Bitela Lam and husband Winston. The lights of Mary’s life were her eight grandchildren: Collin Owen, Haley Owen, Ashleigh Steinhauser, Evan Kyle Steinhauser II, Jordan Lam, Lainee Lam, Kayden Lam and Kayley Lam. They will treasure the memories of their grandmother forever in their hearts. She is also survived by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Guadalupe Hernandez, sister Irene Padilla and husband Tony, brother David Hernandez and wife Kim. In addition, she is survived by her precious nieces and nephews Lisa, Tony, Rachel, Paul, John, Katarina and Annika as well as a host of aunts, uncles and cousins and her ex-husband and friend Marin Bitela. Mary is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents and a host of uncles, aunts and cousins. The family will receive visitors on Friday, August 1, from 5-8 p.m. at Gonzalez Funeral Home (Dallas). Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 2 at 2 p.m. at the North Chapel at Calvary Hill. Burial will follow. A loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend, she will be greatly missed, but her memory will be treasured by all.
