Mary Ella McBrearty

Mary Ella McBrearty was born in San Antonio on January 9, 1953, and passed away unexpectedly on March 21, 2025. Any remembrance of her should begin—and end—by saying she was one of the most selfless, giving, considerate, and thoughtful individuals to ever live on this Earth. She was generous, kind, funny and very smart—she finished at or near the top of the class in virtually every school she attended. We all benefited greatly from her presence. We all feel her absence.

Mary Ella was a highly-regarded attorney, specializing in business and tax law, estate and probate planning and insurance, and other corporate law. She worked at the Heinrichs and De Gennaro law firms in San Antonio for more than 25 years. Previously, she partnered with Patricia Pozza in their own legal practice.

She grew up in San Antonio, attending St. Paul’s and St. Luke’s schools and then Ursuline Academy where she was valedictorian of her graduating class, in 1971. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.A. in Speech, in 1975, with highest honors. She went on to the University of Texas School of Law, earning a J.D., in 1980, again with highest honors, and as Vice Chancellor (salutatorian). She was a member of the editorial board at the Texas Law Review in 1978-79. She also earned an M.A. degree in speech pathology at Our Lady of the Lake University and served as a speech therapist before attending law school and beginning her long legal career.

She was a unifying force in our family. She loved family get-togethers and vacations where she kept the group supplied with food, games, athletic equipment, and everything else we could possibly need. It can’t be overstated how important she was to these events. She delighted in hanging out with her siblings, nephews and nieces, and great nephews and nieces, attending their birthdays and sporting events and theater performances and other extracurricular events. She had many close friends, as well, inside and out of the legal profession, including a group of women from her Monte Vista area, where she lived, called the Neighborhood Ladies. She was famous for her beautiful and unique gifts, bestowed on family members at holidays and birthdays and other events. These were always spectacularly wrapped.

She loved all dogs, but especially her Collie dog, Nicholas. She loved Fiesta time in April. She loved The Beatles, Bob Dylan, John Prine, and many other musical performers. She loved the Christmas song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” She was a fan of Seinfeld and the Law and Order TV show. She loved just about everybody.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Christopher Weixel, also an attorney, her mother Virginia, father William, sister Pam, and her niece, Shauna Autry. She is survived by siblings, Gerald McBrearty, Kevin McBrearty, Robert McBrearty, and Steve McBrearty; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Metke, Wendy McBrearty, and Katie McBrearty-Shields; nephew, Matthew McBrearty and his wife Tara McBrearty; nephews, Riley McBrearty, Trevor McBrearty, Zane McBrearty, and Ian McBrearty; great nephews, Indy McBrearty, Wesley Autry, and Hollis Autry; great niece, Mae McBrearty, and Aunt Patty and Uncle Wally and their children Donna, David, and Denis.

A Prayer Service and Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 12:00-2:00 p.m., at St. Luke Catholic Church 4603 Manitou Dr San Antonio, Texas 78228.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a contribution to the Komen organization for breast cancer, or the ASPCA.