Maria Rosario de Leon McCrady

Maria “Rose/Rosie” de Leon-McCrady passed away peacefully in Austin, Texas, on September 8, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Harlingen, Texas, on February 5, 1951. She is survived by her loving husband, Phil McCrady.

Born into a large family, Rose was raised by parents who worked hard to provide a loving and caring home. The strong foundation they gave her remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.

Rose is survived by her sisters, Connie Colmenero (Orlando), Teresa Kreger (Philip), and Dora DeLeon-Garcia (Frank); sisters-in-law Glendora DeLeon and Gloria DeLeon; her brother, Jesus DeLeon, Jr., brother-in-law Mike McCrady (Eileen Polen); and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Rosie was predeceased by her parents, Dionicia and Jesus DeLeon, Sr.; her brothers, Amador DeLeon, Jose A. DeLeon, Reverend Father Eduardo DeLeon, OMI, Oscar DeLeon, and Jaime DeLeon; sisters-in-law Clementina DeLeon and Nancy Jessee; stepson Christopher McCrady and great-nephew Lucas James Colmenero.

Rose is also survived by her sister-in-law, Karol Hopkins (Ken), and her stepdaughter, Anjanette Little (Steve), who provided loving aid, encouragement, and moral support throughout Rose’s difficult health journey.

Rose was a proud graduate of the University of Texas and a devoted Longhorn fan. She retired from the State of Texas, DHS Division. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter, author, historian, designer, lecturer, teacher, inventor, and embroiderer. She generously shared her extensive knowledge of the history of the needle arts, with a particular passion for Redwork embroidery and quilting. One of her proudest accomplishments was inventing ‘The String Thing’ – a metal tin designed to dispense and store embroidery thread.

Her mother-in-law, Kathleen McCrady, was an inspiration and guide who introduced Rose to the world of quilting. Rose turned that passion into a successful small online business specializing in Redwork. For more than 15 years, she took her beautiful work on the road, participating in quilt shows and sharing her artistry with others.

Rose was also a highly sought-after lecturer. She freely shared her knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise, inspiring countless others to appreciate and preserve the traditions of the needle arts. In 2023, The Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Texas, honored Rose with an exhibition celebrating her beautiful handiwork and remarkable talent.

Rose leaves behind a legacy of creativity, knowledge, friendship, and love. Through her teaching, writing, sewing expertise, and willingness to share what she knew, she touched the lives of many and helped keep the traditions she cherished alive.

Services for Rose will be held at Santa Cruz Catholic Church, 1100 Main Street, Buda, Texas, on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Family and friends are invited to join for lunch and fellowship following the service at the Shady Hollow HOA Community Center, 3303 Doe Run, Austin, Texas 78748.

Contributions in Rose’s memory may be sent to The Texas Quilt Museum https://www.texasquiltmuseum.org/ a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. Your hands may be still, but the beautiful work you created and the love you shared will live on in all who knew you.

Eternal rest grant onto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. AMEN.