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Mary Cantu Cadena went to be with our Lord on December 31, 2023, at the age of 100. She was born on January 16, 1923, to Maria Antonia De Los Santos Cantu and Feliciano Cantu in Saspamco, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 65 years Chris Cadena Jr., who was her childhood sweetheart; son Christopher R. Cadena III; brother Richard Cantu and great-grandson Robert Dixon Jr. Mrs. Cadena was an active member of Holy Name Catholic Parish for over 50 years. Mrs. Cadena was a Fox Tech High School graduate in May of 1941. In 1944, Mrs. Cadena received her degree from Santa Rosa School of Nursing and worked for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department as a supervisor of clinics at Villa Tranchese. In 1953, Mrs. Cadena was hired by the San Antonio Health Department as a Public Health Nurse but continued to pursue a higher education by attending night school at San Antonio College. In 1961, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Incarnate Word College and in 1962 was promoted to a San Antonio Public Health field supervisor. For 29 years, she devoted her life to helping her barrio neighbors by administering immunization shots door to door. In 1985, she retired with 32 years as Field Supervisor from Public Health. She is survived by her daughters Cynthia A. McKenna (John) of Maryland, Cheryl A. Wright (Max) of San Antonio, TX, Venesa Balmos of Saspamco, TX and son Eric J. Cadena of Maryland; grandchildren Dario A. Cavazos (Betsy), Mary Gilley (Ryan), Jessica C. Rodriguez (Martin), Chelsea Savage (Jason), Ashley Jones, Cadet Kohl Balmos, USAF and step-grandson Dante Wright; great-grandchildren, Rylee, Emma, Jacob, Averie, Raelyn, Beaux, Kingston, Quincy and Silas; numerous friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and sister-in-law Mrs. Consuelo Ruiz of Kingsville, TX. Our Family would like to thank the team at Embrace Hospice. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, 1700 SE Military Dr. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church, 3814 Nash Blvd., with a procession to depart the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Tributes

Mary Cantu Cadena

January 16, 1923 - December 31, 2023