Mary Domicilia Orosco Ontiveros, born October 24, 1944, went to be with our Lord on July 3, 2011 surrounded by her family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 51 years, Rodrigo R. Ontiveros, Jr., four children, daughter Sylvia Vargas and her husband Leo, son Richard Orosco Ontiveros, daughter Esther Cecilia Ontiveros-London, and daughter Rebecca Orosco Peña and her husband René, eight grandchildren: Monique, Thomas, Cande, Matthew, Celina, Daniel, Hannah, Ariana, and one great-grandchild, Cassie.
Mary was born in Artesia, New Mexico to Florencio and Candelaria S. Orosco, their only child. She grew up in a cabin in the mountains where she danced with the Mescalero Indians, and where her father, Florencio was a member of the team who rescued the famous little “Smokey the Bear” and coined the phrase, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires”.
At a very young age she met the love of her life, Rodrigo Ontiveros, the guitar playing band leader of the Rhythm Kings Band from Alamogordo, New Mexico. They were married on July 9, 1960, and began their family, then moved to Dallas, Texas in 1966. In 1970 she was employed with Sun Oil Company as a file clerk, and ultimately promoted to Contract & Oil Analyst after 20 years of service. She was then employed with Dr. Robert Donachie as his Office Manager, until April 2005 when she suffered a critical aneurysm, but survived regardless. She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2007, and began her courageous battle with cancer.
Mary loved her family and friends, loved to sing, dance and cook, and was a devoted Catholic member of the church. She told stories of her childhood and was an eloquent writer, she was proud of her family and heritage. She portrayed classic beauty, charm and elegance, and has passed on a very unique legacy. From humble beginnings as a young girl in the mountains, to an intelligent and successful business woman in the Dallas, Texas area, she was devoted to her husband, her children and grandchildren, and savored every moment of life here on earth. The memory of her love continues within all those she touched.
