Marie Elena Willars, 83, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on November 29, 2022. She was born to Ramon and Sara Ramirez in Laredo, Texas, on August 11, 1939, where she was blessed to grow up surrounded by her large family. She graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1961 and married Jorge Willars in 1963. Jorge and Marie raised their four children in Houston and were blessed with 51 years of marriage prior to Jorge’s death in 2014. Marie loved her children and adored her grandchildren and her great-granddaughter. She was a longtime fan of the Houston Astros, and she and her son attended many games together, including Opening Day for many years in a row. A devout Catholic, Marie raised her children in the faith, and was a volunteer at St. Luke the Evangelist, in Houston from 1975 until she moved in 2014. She and Jorge most enjoyed spoiling their twelve grandchildren.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Jorge Willars; her parents, Ramon and Sara Ramirez; her brother, Ramon Ramirez, Jr.; and her grandson, Steven Willars Hayes.
Marie is survived by her children: Laura Jacobson (Malcolm), Diana Hayes (Mike), Angela Miller (Jeff), and Jorge Willars (Joanna); twelve grandchildren: Shannon Montalvo (Mickey), Colin Jacobson (Elizabeth), Sara Dietz (James), John and Michael Hayes, Brian Jenkins (Rie), Zach Miller, Alec and Abbey Jenkins, Jake, Hannah and Sara Willars; and her great-granddaughter, Veronica Dietz.
The family wishes to extend their deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to Christine, Marie’s gentle, beautiful and hard-working live-in caregiver. We are so grateful to her and all the other caregivers that helped with Marie over the last couple of years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. The Mass will be presided by Rev. Chris Nguyen. A private family Rite of Committal will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. A rosary will be announced. Please check the website for information.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Thomas More Catholic Church 10330 Hillcroft Street, Houston, TX 77096 or to St. Matthias Catholic Church 302 Magnolia Blvd, Magnolia, TX 77355.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the Willars family.
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