Memorial Trees
R
Rita "Nina" & Rudy Garcia
January 10, 2025
Memorial trees planted for:
Maria "Mari" G. Zurita Alvarez
<p>Maria “Mari” G. Zurita Alvarez, 77, of Port Isabel, TX passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family.</p><p><br></p><p>Mari was a beautiful, kind, intelligent, hard-working, and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She was raised in Port Isabel, graduating as the Valedictorian of Port Isabel High School's Class of 1966, despite working to help her mother and younger siblings from an early age. Mari always strived to do her best.</p><p><br></p><p>Mari left her home, family, friends, and work to marry the love of her life, Carlos Alvarez, in Wichita Falls, TX, where they made their home in 1970. They had two sons, Vicente and Victor, before moving back to Port Isabel to raise them, along with their two daughters, Alicia and Carla, who were born a few years later. Mari was always very proud of her children. Her daughters would grow up to be her best friends, along with her sister, Teresa, and her mother, Elvita.</p><p><br></p><p>Mari found her true calling as an educator. Still, she always prioritized her husband and children first. She worked for Point Isabel ISD as a Teacher's Aide for many years before returning to college, while working full-time, to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from UTB and Teaching Certificate as a Bilingual Educator.</p><p><br></p><p>Mari always remembered her roots, working extra hours to plan and teach her students, the majority of whom were new, recently migrated with their families from Mexico. She loved teaching her students and built many lifelong friendships with colleagues at Derry and Garriga Elementary—friendships which she truly cherished. She ultimately retired from Point Isabel ISD after more than 40 years of dedication.</p><p><br></p><p>Mari loved to garden, spoil her four grandchildren, and spend time with her family. She was a great cook and baker, always cooking traditional, as well as new recipes, to gather her family. She instilled her love of learning and Mexican culture and traditions in her children, students, and grandchildren. She was an eternal optimist who loved to dance and make people around her laugh. Her smile and laughter were contagious, and her beautiful hazel green eyes could just as easily quiet a room of boisterous students with a single lift of her eyebrow. Despite battling liver disease this past year, as well as the pain that comes with it, she still tried to make others laugh. She would often say that her heart remained strong because of the love that filled it; the love for her children, grandchildren, and family was so strong and kept her going.</p><p><br></p><p>Mari was the most loving, attentive, caring, and BEST mother God could have blessed her children with. If you were fortunate enough to have been acquainted with Mari --as family, friend, coworker or student--then you probably remember what a lovely, caring soul she was – and always will be – and why she will be dearly missed. Mari has been reunited with her mother (Grandma) Elvita and her baby brother Adan, in heaven – our guardian angel watching over us until it’s time to welcome us home.</p><p><br></p><p>She is preceded in death by her mother, Elvita Osorio Zurita; father, Jesus Zurita; sister, Almira Ramirez; brothers, Juan V. and Adan Zurita.</p><p><br></p><p>Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Carlos Andres Alvarez; 4 children, Vicente Andres (Janie) Alvarez, Victor Carlos Alvarez, Alicia Guillermina (J. Victor) Baldovinos and Maria Carla Alvarez; 4 grandchildren, Lara Victoria Baldovinos, Carlos I. Alvarez, Marcos Francisco Baldovinos, and Valentín Victor Alvarez; 1 sister, Teresa (Dusty) Smith, 2 brothers, Jesus O. (Angie) Zurita and Inocente (Frances) Zurita; 2 sisters-in- law, Maria Antonia Zurita and Lorraine Zurita.</p><p><br></p><p>Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Funeral Mass at 7:00 p.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, TX with cremation to follow in accordance with her wishes.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, family request memorial donations in care of Sunshine Haven, 7105 W Lakeside Blvd, Olmito, TX 78575, in Memory of Maria G. Zurita Alvarez.</p><p><br></p><p>You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Maria G. Zurita Alvarez at www.thomaegarza.com.</p><p>Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.</p>November 9, 1947 - January 7, 202511/09/194701/07/2025
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