Mary Arevalo, 96 of Austin, Texas ascended peacefully into Heaven on August 28, 2018 at her home surrounded by family. Born Maria Alejandra Rodriguez on December 24, 1921 the only child to Maria Lozano Rivera and Manuel Rodriguez in Beeville, Texas- the family Matriarch was known to all who loved her as Gramma.
Mary went to school through 9th grade before marrying Ralph Felan Arevalo in 1936 and settling in Austin, Texas. Together they survived the Great Depression and bore four off-spring. Their professions included seasonal migrant farm working jobs with the entire family moving north to harvest cherries, apples and tomatoes to support the family unit. She became a professional seamstress and worked her whole life with several companies, retiring from Garnett-Lewis Cleaners in 1983.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother- Mary and Ralph always offered their home to those in need and one never left their home without a full belly. Together, they would often cook and give food to neighbors, family and even the local grocery store clerks. Always giving and never taking was their way of life- they worked hard to instill those traits into their family.
After the death of her husband in 1998- she was diagnosed and survived breast cancer and fought the hardest fight of her life. In 2003, she was determined to officially be cancer-free. She lived the rest of her days enjoying family, playing bingo, going out to eat and spending unending hours in her yard making sure it was the best looking yard on the block.
She is preceded in death by her mother, father, husband Ralph Sr., daughter Dorothy Arevalo Perez, grandson Ricky Arevalo Perez and great-great granddaughter Juleanna Arevalo. She is survived by her children Ralph Jr (Susana), Lucille Arevalo Montoya and Edward Sr. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren (including Edward Jr, whom she raised since 1 year-old), plus many great and great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers will her grandsons Alex Arevalo Cerda, Ernest Arevalo, Oscar Arevalo and great- grandsons Edward Arevalo III, Christian Arevalo and Eric Arevalo. Honorary pallbearers are all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Many thanks to all of her doctors, nurses and especially those of Texas Home Health Hospice who guided us in her final months of life to ensure her quality of life and comfort in her final days. Deepest special thanks to Edward Arevalo, Sr. for caring for Gramma on a daily basis- many times 24/7 without a break. Without you, she would not have been the same.
