Dr. Maria Elena Neil

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband,+ Patric Wilson Neil, Jr; her birth mother +Elodia Saenz; parents +Agustin Sanchez and +Manuela G. Sanchez; brothers +Rodolfo Sanchez and +Agustin Sanchez, Jr.

She is survived by her sisters Hermelinda Hernandez (+Ramiro), Thelma Sanchez, and Diana Villarreal; a brother Jose (Lenny); sister-in-law Angeles Sanchez (+Agustin Jr) and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Frances and Jim Hutson; several nieces and nephews, as well.

Born on March 23, 1937 in Mission, Texas, Maria Elena Sanchez was a child of Elodia Saenz and Agustin Sanchez. Her birth mother passed away when she was only 3 years old. Manuela Gutierrez Sanchez was then blessed to have Nena to raise at the age of 5 years old.

Her biggest and most precious love was her family and her beloved husband Wilson Neil. Nena was strong in her faith and loved teaching. She graduated as Salutatorian at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in 1951. She graduated with honors from Mission High School in 1956. Her achievements were recognized by the Office Administrator at Mission Paving. She was hired as a Stenographer/Bookkeeper.

Her first calling to serve the Lord was in 1963 she became a Sister of Mercy and then received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Webster College in 1965. After graduation, she taught in parochial schools in St. Louis, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisiana.

After leaving her first calling, she moved to San Antonio where she met the love of her life, Wilson Neil and married him in July, 1976. In December, 1977, she received her Master of Arts Degree from East Texas State University. She was employed as a bilingual teacher at Dallas I.S.D.

In May, 1985, she received her Doctorate of Education Degree from East Texas State University. Her dissertation introduced a bilingual test that was a great tool for educators across Texas. She worked at the University level as a part-time bilingual consultant, but remained at the elementary school full-time. Her tenure was 47 years of teaching.

Her roots were calling her back to Mission, so in June, 2010, she moved back. Nena had been gone for 50 years, so it was an experience to spend more time with her family and re-connect with her friends. Her friends from Catholic school, (the Sweet 16) spent great times together. Only 3 of those are left from that group.

Death is not something we should be afraid of. We all were created for a purpose and once we have accomplished that purpose, God calls us back to his home. Maria Elena has been called

back home. Dr. Maria Elena Neil is now in God’s presence and she is also with her loving husband and her parents. Her presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 10am with a committal at San Jose Cemetery.