Mary Lujan Casarez

Mom was called to be with the Lord and passed away on April 24, 2013. She was preceded in death by her late husband Frank. She was born in Imperial Valley on May 30, 1925. Her parents were Santos and Cuca Lujan. She was raised most of here life in the Visalia area and graduated from Visalia Union High School in 1943. Preceded in death were her brothers John, George and Max Lujan. She is also survived by three sisters, Della Porras, Bessie Casarez and Dolores Pesqueira.

She has eight children with six sons -Leland (Marie) Castro, Richard (Patty) Castro, Jimmy Castro, George (Ramona) Castro, David (Diane) Castro, Ronnie (Corina) Castro and two daughters Betty (Bob) Herrera and Rosalie Ortiz. There are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. You could always count on eating something good at Grandma Mary’s house. Her specialty during the holidays was making homemade tamales with lots of family members helping with the food preparation and then eating the delicious results. She was Los Angeles Dodger fan and no family members were allowed to wear any other baseball team cap in her house other that Dodger Blue. She was loved by many as she shared her ever lasting love, community spirit and caring ways.

She began working for the Visalia Unified School District as a Teachers Aid. Her teaching career began in 1965 and she worked at the elementary schools of Carrie Barnett, Highland and Fairview. She was involved with the revitalization of the north Visalia area by working with the Community Service Organizations (CSO). She also participated with a few community organizations that provided community services on behalf of the Holy Family Catholic Church.A Rosary will be prayed on Monday, April 29, 2013 at 6:00pm at Miller Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:00am at Holy Family Catholic Church of Visalia. Arrangements by Miller Memorial Chapel

Upon her retirement in Visalia she shared much of her time playing and telling stories to her many grandchildren. Her hobbies’ were sewing and making many handmade gifts for family members and friends. She also loved gardening in her yard and especially watering the yard and caring for her roses. Her most recent favorite past time was playing bingo and completing word search puzzles which she truly enjoyed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:00am at Holy Family Catholic Church of Visalia. On behalf of the family of Mary Casarez we would like to thank the many family members and friends who were at her side at the end. Also a special thanks to the Tulare Regional Medical Center and the Tulare Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their fine care that was given to her during her last years of life. We believe she is now with our Lord but will never be forgotten.