Maria Ignacia Mann (Grandma Sugar, Grandma Mary) was born in San Antonio, Texas on October 15, 1936. She grew up on the near west side of San Antonio and attended Bowie Elementary, Irving Middle School, and graduated from Tech High School. She married the boy next door, Gilbert R. Mann. They decided that she would stay home to care for their two daughters. Ms. Mann was a loving, caring lady who helped raise her grandsons and granddaughters while their parents worked. She made sure they were safe and had plenty to eat. She would transport and pick them up from school. She was very protective of her children and grandchildren. Her caregiving also included being available when her parents needed help. When her father was hospitalized at Kerrville VA Hospital, she, her mother and the two girls would sometimes take the Greyhound bus to visit him. As he recovered at home, Ms. Mann ran errands for her parents. She would pick up groceries for her parents and would take her mother-in-law and neighbor to the grocery store. The station wagon was full of groceries when they arrived home. She also took her father to important medical appointments and helped her mother when her father was very ill. She was the principal caregiver when her mother became ill. She had a big heart that drove her to care for others. After her mother's death she began her volunteer work through Catholic Charities. She volunteered as the Juvenile Detention Center for more the 20 years; she was affectionately known as Grandma Mary. She formed many friendships there and was valued by staff and the juveniles. She would've completed 25 years next year as a volunteer with the Foster Grandparent Program. She was an outgoing, friendly lady who could start a nice conversation while in line at the grocery store.
Ms. Mann enjoyed trip to Las Vegas on her birthday accompanied by her daughters. Those trips became so popular that soon her grandsons and their significant others also joined them. Sonoma, California was a special place to visit also. She enjoyed visiting the various vineyards with her daughters and granddaughters.
Another joy was cooking and baking. Her Thanksgiving dressing was the best. Her lemon meringue pies were her specialty.
Ms. Mann was preceded in death by her father Joe R. Martinez, Jr. and her mother Annie (Nico) Almendarez Martinez, her husband Gilbert R. Mann, her brother Joe David Martinez, her sister-in-law Gloria Salas Martinez, her maternal grandparents Cruz Rodriguez and Fermin Almendarez, her paternal grandparents Maria Ignacia Ramirez Martinez and Jose M. Martinez. She is survived by her brother Raul (Roy) Martinez, Ph.D., her daughters Elizabeth Hernandez (David) and Ana Vasquez (Albert), her nephew Joe David Martinez Jr. (Vicki), five grandchildren: David Hernandez, Jr. (Vanessa), Christopher Hernandez (Jessenia), Melissa Moreno (George), Amanda Featherstone (Stuart), Aaron Vasquez (Hanna), 10 great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by cousins, an aunt, other family members, friends and special friends from the Juvenile Detention Center.
The family would like to thank Christus Hospice nurses and CNA for the compassionate, empathic care. They helped Ms. Mann and the family go through a painful, sorrowful time. We would also like to thank Ms. Virginia Hernandez for helping with Ms. Mann's care.
The family will receive friends at Roy Akers Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 5PM with a rosary at 7PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 9AM. Burial will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
