Mary Vasquez Mata

Maria Vasquez Mata, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Angel Bright Hospice, Inc. in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mary was born on September 20, 1932, daughter of Inocencio and Epifania Vasquez in Niederwald, Texas. In 1951, she married the late Pete Mata, in Austin, Texas. She studied and became a hairstylist and opened her own business. She was also an active participant at St. Julia Catholic Church.

In 1973, Mary and Pete moved to Corpus Christi, Texas. Soon after moving to Corpus Christi, Mary opened her beauty salon, Shape N Sheen Beauty Shop.

Her devotion to her faith, prayer and the Blessed Sacraments were always present in her everyday actions. She was very active at Holy Family and Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. At both churches, she was a Eucharistic Minister and an outstanding member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Society. Mary had a very kind and gentle soul which is why she will be remembered as having a loving, generous and giving heart. She will also be remembered as Mary, the kind woman that would spark a conversation and be engaged with everyone’s happiness.

She was predeceased by Pete Mata in 1998, her beloved husband of 47 years, her first born daughter Margarita, and her sister Lenora Gutierrez.

She will be sadly missed by her siblings, Pete and Cruz Vasquez and Tibrucia (Richard) Ramirez. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughters, Janie Mata Melendez and Mary Helen Mata Guerrero of Austin, Texas; her grandchildren, Richard Rene Monreal, Gilbert Rey Guerrero, Rosemary (Alex) Morales, and Paul Michael Guerrero; her great-grandchildren, Ursula Ann Guerrero, Dareyen Miguel Guerrero, Alexandro Morales, Jr., Derrek Micah Guerrero, Deven Matthew Guerrero, and Brianna Rene Morales; great-great grandchildren, Israel Daniel and Madison Nicole Rodriguez; numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Friday, October 17, 2014, at Holy Family American Catholic Church, 8613 Lava Hill Road, Austin, Texas, 78744. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.