Mary Cantu

Mary Cantu was born on August 25, 1940 in Charlotte, Texas, to her parents, Guadalupe Sherwood and David Pena. They moved from Charlotte to San Antonio in 1945. Mary and her mother, Lupe, moved in with Lupe’s parents for a few years after leaving Lupe’s marriage. Mary stayed with her grandparents once her mother, Lupe, married George Sherwood. While living with her grandparents, Mary was busy with housekeeping and worked at her grandparents grocery store. She lived with them for many years until her mother came back for her at thirteen years old. Mary would have 4 younger siblings: Judy, Janie, Bobby, and Georgie, all who loved her dearly and respected her. She graduated from South San High School in 1959 and began working her first job at McCrory’s Soda Fountain as a waitress. It would be at this same job in 1960 where she would meet the love of her life, Ruben Cantu. Mary sat on the stool next to him and told him “I don’t like anyone turning their back on me” and Ruben was immediately smitten. They would go on four dates before Ruben entered the army and was sent overseas the same year. They continued writing each other while he was away. The same year, 1960, Mary’s family would move from Texas to California, then back to Texas, eventually returning to California in 1961 to stay. She would be reunited with her love, Ruben in 1963. Mary and Ruben would be married on September 19, 1964 in Huntington Park, California. They purchased their first home in 1971 where they stayed and raised their family in Bell, California. They went on to have three children: Elizabeth, Ruben, and Edward. Mary made the decision to be a stay-at-home mother until she began working for St. Francis Hospital as an emergency room receptionist in 1978. She retired in 2004 after 25 years. Mary and Ruben would be blessed with their wonderful grandchildren: Stephanie, Craigan, Jacob, Dyani, Ryan, Kaitlyn and Leah. Mary and her sister, Judy, also dedicated many years in caring for their mother, Lupe. Mary gave and received so much love throughout her lifetime.

A funeral service for Mary will be held Friday, September 23, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Bell, 4667 E. Gage Avenue, Bell, CA 90201. A graveside service will follow on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Funerariadelangelbell.com for the CANTU family.