Mary Mac Gittinger

"The light that shines in the darkness, the light which the darkness cannot overcome...But the beautiful truth of Jesus is that his light, his hope, his strength, will never go out. The darkness cannot extinguish it...The light wins. Always." - James Dwyer

Mary Mac Gittinger is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Paul Gittinger; her two children, Michelle Autry and Gregory Gittinger; her sister and brother-in-law, Dustine and Benny Graham; her AWESOME son-in-law, John Autry; her three spoiled grandchildren, Keith, Luke, and Faith; by her uncle, cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, many extended family, her sisters and brothers in Christ, her AA family, and so many more we will never know.

Mary Mac Gittinger was the baby of the family with 2 older sisters and a brother, Dustine, Dee, and Dick. She loved growing up on "the farm," as she called it, and spent a great deal of time with her Huey and King cousins, grandparents, and 2 best friends, Susan and Phyllis.

Mary Mac found the love of her life in Paul. She and Paul worked hard to build up their family and her highlights were her children, Michelle and Gregory. As the kids grew, Mary Mac spent much of her time taking care of her brother and mother, Dick and Mary, taking trips with her sisters, and enjoying life with her friends. At first, she and Paul only traveled as far as South Padre Island every year, as they continued to dream of the years they'd be able to travel the world together.

Mary Mac went through a tough period following the death of her mother and siblings, Dick and Dee. With her mustard seed faith in God, she was able to build herself back up and inspire others along the way. As her kids moved on with their lives, she and Paul began to live their dream of traveling the world. She went to the Holy Land, Hawaii, everywhere in the Caribbean, and so many more places.

When her daughter married, she was so happy with her AWESOME son-in-law, John, and encouraged them to give her grandkids right away! She was SO excited when she had 3 to spoil, Keith, Luke, and Faith. Anybody who has had any time with Mary Mac most likely has seen the thousands of photos on her phone of them.

Mary Mac was very active in her church, St. Joseph Catholic Church – Honey Creek. She taught kindergartners all about God and Jesus, she loved being on the ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) women's team to assist anyone on their own spiritual faith journey. She continued her own journey with her weekly "Coffee with Jesus" gatherings. She marched and participated in Respect Life with the church as well as outside it, ever faithful to her 40 Days for Life. She was an active participant in Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Word of Life, Adoration Holy Hour Mondays, Bible Study, Vacation Bible Study, and so much more. She and Paul were also mentors for couples receiving the sacrament of Marriage. She participated wholeheartedly in any activities or programs she could in her church; always desiring to spread the word of God.

Mary Mac was also very active in the AA community. For 15 years, the program was her support system, giving her the strength and courage to stay sober, during the good and hard times. She shared her story with so many, hoping it would give them the strength they needed to keep taking it "one day at a time" and "it works if you work it." She was a sponsor to many and blessed to be sponsored by some who have gone before her. She started an AA program at her church called "Seeds of Grace," which not only helped her to continue her own recovery, but to also welcome others to do the same.

Mary Mac was a bright light that shone wherever she went. She encouraged others to follow God, find sobriety, and be their best self! Her laugh was infectious, she was enthused about all things, great and small, and she talked and talked and talked. Her memory will live on in the people she met, even if only for a moment, because her light was so blinding with her faith. Our condolences to those who are grieving. May you make her legacy be the sharing of her story, faith, and encouragement with others you meet every moment of every day.

The celebration of her life will be as follows:

Monday, January 18, 2021

9:30 a.m. Rosary

10 a.m. Funeral

11:15 a.m. Burial/Entombment

All services held at St. Joseph Catholic Church - Honey Creek, 25781 State Highway 46 W, Spring Branch, TX 78070, (830) 980-2268

Due to social distancing concerns, there will not be any visitation time before the rosary. No one will be allowed to gather in the vestibule before or after the service. Attendees will need to head directly into the church to sit with those in their household. The number of people allowed at the burial/entombment will also be limited, likely to only close family.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you give to the ACTS mission or 40 Days For Life in Mary Mac's name to:

St. Joseph Catholic Church - Honey Creek

25781 State Highway 46 W

Spring Branch, TX 78070

https://stjoseph-honeycreek.weshareonline.org

For those unable to attend, the rosary, funeral, and burial will be livestreamed.