Mary Herron

May 5, 1945-August 14, 2016

Mary, 71, of Houston Texas died peacefully in her sleep at home on August 14, 2016.

In keeping with her wishes there will be no funeral but a celebration of her life ceremony

to be announced at a later date for both family and friends.

Mary was born in Blue Earth Minnesota to Miguel and Juventina (Mejia) Cervantes. The family

Moved to the Chicago area when Mary was eight years old and she graduated from Waukegan

High School. In high school she excelled in academics, theater arts and debate. She won the

state (Illinois) title in poetry reading. She attended the University of Illinois and finished up

course work latter at the Community College of Morris County New Jersey. She left the University

of Illinois after one year and spent a year living in Berlin Germany living with both her sister and

German friends. She must have passed on this adventure gene to her granddaughter Jade,

who spent several months traveling in Asia after high school. On her return to the United States

she married in Chicago and moved to Western Pennsylvania. The marriage ended in divorce

but produced three wonderful and talented children. After her divorce she moved with her

children to Rochester New York. While working at the University of Rochester Medical School

she met her future husband (Dr. Alan Herron) who was completing a research fellowship at the

University of Rochester Medical School. The new family then moved to Madison, New Jersey.

It was in New Jersey that Mary was able to enjoy the culture, arts and theater of New York City.

The family then moved to Jupiter, Florida. This location became a favorite destination for her

family from Chicago and New Jersey to visit in the winter. Mary would hold creative art sessions

for the family to practice their painting and sculpting skills. In 2001 the family once again moved

back to New Jersey. Mary was able to pursue her artistic passions of attending opera and the theater in

New York City.

In 2006 Mary and her husband made her final move to Houston Texas. She grew to love Houston because of the arts, and cultural harmony. During her life Mary became an extremely talented

writer, poet and painter (oils and acrylics). She was a wonderful force and had a collection of eclectic

and interesting friends. These included a future Department Chair at Rutgers University who wrote Old

English limericks with her, a motor cycle racer and metal sculptor who became a high ranking executive

at GE and an engineer/physicist who owns his own company and has many patents.

Mary is survived by her husband, Dr. Alan Herron, her children, Michael James Hawk, Dina Michelle Petersen and Jason Gregor Hawk. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Taylor Petersen, Sydney Petersen, Michael Petersen and Jade Jones-Hawk. Her surviving siblings include Michael Richard Cervantes, Rosemarie Cervantes and Benjamin Cervantes. She was predeceased by her sister Carmen Cervantes.

Mary was able to cope with the ugly prejudice against Mexican-Americans during her youth to become a strong ,forgiving person and lead an exciting and wonderful life. She will be missed by her friends and family but they will always remember her presence and remarkable character.

That instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association or other worthwhile charity of the donors choosing

Arrangements under the direction of Heights Funeral Home, Houston, TX.