Mary Ann Garay

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Margarita Rodriguez.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Agapito Garay; children, Anna Marie Villela, Christopher Michael Garay, Christina Ann Garay, Melissa Ann Garay-Velasquez; grandchildren, Madalyn, Marilyn, Jailyn, Taylor, Lillian, Joshua, Maximus, John, and Manuel.

Mary Ann grew up on the South Side of San Antonio on a little street named Cass. There she enjoyed her childhood years playing with her neighborhood friends and enjoying life. Her close-knit community became her family. She graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1976 where she performed in the dance team, marched in parades, and twirled her baton. It was there that her love of the color purple began, supporting her school colors and reminiscing about her youth.

Mary Ann soon met “Roy,” one summer day at The Japanese Tea Garden. They spent the day walking around the park and getting to know each other. At the end of the day, Roy boldly asked for her number. Mary Ann, being the hard-to-get woman, quickly said her phone number and stated, if you can remember that, you deserve to call me. Roy recited the number in his mind all the way home. As soon as he arrived he made the phone call and Mary Ann knew her heart had been won. Soon they would marry, buy their own home, and have four children. They enjoyed 45 loving years together.

Mary Ann always believed that education was important. She was proud that all her children graduated from South San Antonio High School, and that they all attended college. All of her daughters received their Bachelor’s Degrees. Mary Ann was an avid buyer of school supplies at the beginning of the school year. She would often help neighborhood children, nieces and nephews, friends of her kids, and even random strangers with new school supplies and backpacks for the upcoming year. She always made it a point to make sure her grandchildren were ready for school and each year they received their brand new school supplies from their grandmother.

Mary Ann was a fierce woman with a heart of gold. If she loved you, she loved you with all that she had. If you were sick, she helped nurse you to health, if you needed something, and she could help, she would. You could never go to Mary Ann’s house and leave with an empty stomach. She loved to cook but she was most famous for her tamales. If she liked you, you were lucky to receive a dozen or two. She also loved to bake. There were so many celebrations and memories made over a cake made by Mary Ann. However, Christmas cookies were her specialty. Mary Ann took great pride in them making over 12 different types of cookies. If they were even slightly overcooked, she would throw them out. Her children were secretly happy when this happened because then that meant they got to eat them, and soon the grandchildren got the chance to devour the slightly overcooked deliciousness. If you held a special place in her heart, you received a batch for Christmas.

Mary Ann worked for 20 years at Alamo Iron Works. She spent her last employment years at Nix Hospital Downtown. After working she became a full-time mom to her teenage children, but the role Mary Ann loved most was being a Grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with the grandkids and watching them grow up. She often took care of them till they started kindergarten. She loved going to volleyball games, baseball games, plays, and numerous school functions where she would watch them perform. It was then that she was most proud. She always called and checked on them, going down the list daily, and when she couldn’t attend any more functions, she wanted to know how their games and days went. She spoiled them all. The grandchildren will miss their “Pama,” who played the role of a second mom to most of them. Pama will always have a special place in their hearts.

A visitation for Mary Ann will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Trevino Funeral Home with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 10:30 AM at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, with interment to follow at San Jose Burial Park.