Tributes

Mary E. Herrera (Cuellar) was born January 19, 1953 in Mission, TX. She passed away on November 28, 2020 at the age of 67. She was preceded in death by her parents Cosme Cuellar and Maria Luisa Cuellar, sisters Delia Castaneda, Dalia Barrera, and Irma Rodriguez. She is survived by her sister Marie (Norbert) Fierro, brothers Cosme (Nancy) Cuellar and Daniel (Cynthia) Cuellar, husband, Victor Herrera. Children, Laura (Michael) Gonzales, Stephen (Vanessa) Herrera, Karen (Dane) Young. Grandchildren, Ryan, Nikki, Thomas, Elliana and Rylan Gonzales, Caroline and Stephen Charles Herrera Jr along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins she adored. Mary lived in Penitas, TX and moved to San Antonio, TX at age 6. She would return throughout her childhood to Penitas each summer. She was a proud McCollum High School class of 1972 graduate and loved cheering on the Cowboys at the Frontier Bowl every year and enjoyed planning alumni and reunion events. During high school she worked at Globe Department Store on SW Military Dr. While working at Globe she met the love of her life, Victor Herrera in 1973. Mary worked as a personnel clerk at Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research from 1974-1979. Victor and Mary married on December 1, 1979 in San Antonio. Soon after they wed, they moved to Harlingen and then Brownsville, TX where they had their first child Laura Deanna in 1981. Mary attended Pan American University at Brownsville and was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and served as Historian. She graduated with her BBA in 1983. Victor & Mary moved to Corpus Christi in 1985 and welcomed their son Stephen Charles in 1986 and daughter Karen Elizabeth in 1989. Mary’s most rewarding years professionally was as an educator. She taught business subjects at Robstown H.S. from 1985-1987 and at West Oso H.S. from 1987-1996. She achieved her master’s degree in Counseling in 1995 from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and was a high school guidance counselor at West Oso. She loved being with her students and planned many fundraising activities and school wide events. She was the proud class sponsor of the Senior Class of 1993 and created several fundraisers to help fund the school prom. She would DJ music in the school cafeteria during lunch periods and coordinated the school's first talent show. She planned many awards assemblies, homecoming activities and proms. She started the West Oso I.S.D. Hall of Fame to recognize outstanding alumni. She was instrumental in getting new computers at West Oso for the computer lab she managed. She loved being a West Oso Bear and was her student athletes biggest fan attending many football and basketball games to cheer them on. She began a new career in 1998 as a case manager for Cascade Disability Management and continued case management work until she retired. Mary loved being involved in her children’s activities and was actively involved at Mary Carroll H.S. in the PTA, Academic Booster Club and Tigerette Booster Club. She cheered on her children and attended countless dance performances, piano recitals, basketball games, tournaments and practices. She always put her children first and was their biggest cheerleader. In 2004, Victor & Mary returned to their hometown of San Antonio, TX. After retiring, Mary strived to help young kids see their potential. She decided to go back to the classroom as a substitute teacher for Harlandale ISD. She loved to counsel young people and encourage them to never give up. Later in life she was blessed with grandchildren. Her grandchildren were everything to her and she loved them with all she had. When she was not with her grandchildren, you could find Mary at aqua fitness and yoga classes along with her dear friend Jeannie Rojas at Gold's Gym. She went to the gym regularly for years and built many friendships. She loved to plan parties and bring people together. She was known to sing “happy trails to you…” when leaving a party, dance and laugh and bring joy to everyone she met. Mary was vibrant and compassionate and loved her family and friends. She was a warrior who fought bravely to stay here with us for as long as she could. She was loved by everyone she met and will be deeply missed. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Dellcrest Funeral Home. 2023 S WW White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78222 Funeral Mass is on Friday, December 4, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church 1314 Fair Ave. San Antonio, Tx 78223 Interment to follow at Mission Burial Park South. In accordance with CDC safety precautions, we require everyone to wear a mask upon entering the Funeral Home and practice social distancing while inside. There will be a 40-person maximum allowed in the chapel and a 50-person maximum allowed at the church. For everyone’s safety please honor the family from a distance. We kindly thank you in advance.

Tributes

Maria Elena Herrera

January 19, 1953 - November 28, 2020