Mary Weller Cates San Antonio, Texas Obituary

Mary Weller Cates

Mary Weller Cates, age 62, awoke in the arms of Jesus Christ on Saturday morning May 23, 2020. Born in Dallas, Texas December 1, 1957 to Frances and Cyrus B. Weller, Jr., the family moved to San Antonio early in her life. Mary was speaking Spanish and English at age 3 and routinely made the rounds with her daddy visiting stock brokers, truck lines, bankers and a new adventure that Cy and Ed Muir concocted; a perpetual care cemetery on the east side of San Antonio. In 1971, Mary met Craig Cates in God’s Country, Camp Longhorn, Inks Lake, where they continued their friendship. After graduating from Alamo Heights High School in 1979, Mary and Craig both decided to go to Southwestern University. While in college The San Antonio German club presented Mary as a debutante during the 1978-1979 season. After 4 years of great fun, Mary and Craig married in 1980 and settled in San Antonio. Mary worked as a para legal for Marshall Groce while Craig was a trainee at Dial Finance. In 1981 Mary and Craig “threw the dice” and went all in on this crazy cemetery idea Ed Muir and Cy Weller dreamed up. After 39 years of lots of love, fun, and a little heartache the love and efforts of Mary and Craig were blooming. Mary was a perfectionist and it showed in everything she did. She had always wanted to ride horses. Mary finds the best horse trainers in the State of Texas, Claudia and Johnny Conn of Twisted Oak Farm in Bulverde. From the beginning of her horse career in 1995, Mary and her thoroughbred, “Smooth Moves” aka Luke, won several state champions honors in the Texas Hunter Jumper Association in the 1998- 2001 era. Mary touched so many lives with her innate sweetness and compassion. She had helped so many people and pets along the way. One night in the late 80’s Craig came home from work to learn they were the proud owners of 5 Basset hounds, (in our bed) that were at risk of euthanasia. Earlyne Buchanan and Mary along with Dr. Ray Trimmier were a solid team working for the Bexar County Humane Society. Also, during her journey, Mary was a sustaining member of the Junior League of San Antonio, a past member of the Blue Bird Auxiliary, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, and a past chairman of the Bright Shawl Tea Room for the Junior League. Survivors are her soulmate of 39 years, Craig Cates, Dorthea Hardin, mother in law, Godson Charles Steen, his wife Janie, and their daughters Katie, Kaitlyn, and Kassidy. Also surviving are Cy Cates, brother in law and his wife Robin and their daughters: Shelby Bower and her husband Stephen, Lindsay and her husband George Patterson and their daughter Talulla. Also surviving are Longfellow and Mattie Girl Cates; two very broken-hearted dachshunds. Mary is also survived by multiple generations of cousins to whom she opened her heart and home including the Weller, Stubbs and Cole families. Craig wishes to extend special thanks to Jesus Espinosa, Dorothy Armstrong, Christine Urrutia, and Amber Kramer and the late, Alvina Govan for providing their tender loving care to Mary along her journey. Also, thanks for the love shown by the Meadowlawn staff over the years. Mary’s ashes will be placed in a private family mausoleum along with the ashes of her four- legged life companions: Sallie Belle, Dolly, Callie, Candy, Beauregard, Mattie Boy, Buddy and Luke. Due to the Covid- 19 virus, private services for Mary Cates are pending. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choosing or to Mary’s favorite, Diamond Dachshund Rescue, at P.O. Box 17736, San Antonio, Tx. 78217 or ddrtx.org. To leave a note for the family go to Meadowlawn.net and select obituaries.
May 23, 202005/23/2020
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karen Preis
December 20, 2020
Craig, Rex and I send our love and condolences. Mary was a very caring and generous lady. God bless you. Karen & Rex Preis
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Roy Adkins
October 18, 2020
Ive know Mary and Craig for thirty five years. I started working for the Cates doing air conditioning and appliance repair and whatever else they needed repaired. After working for Mary a couple of years, she began to treat me like family. She even treated my childre... Continue Reading
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Abdosly@yahoo.com
August 11, 2020
A candle was posted for Mary Weller Cates.
A candle was posted for Mary Weller Cates.
1 comment
A
Abdosly@yahoo.com
August 11, 2020
I am so saddened to learn of Mary’s passing. She was my friend and riding partner back in the day at Twisted Oak Farm. I will miss her but am thankful for the memories.
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Lisa Pawel
June 8, 2020
Craig and Cates Family, just learned of Mary's passing. I am so sad. We had great times being twirlers together, and I love the memory in your pictures of seeing y’all in costumes at the party at our house way back when..... that was a fun night too!! Mary was so, s... Continue Reading
A candle was posted for Mary Weller Cates.
A candle was posted for Mary Weller Cates.
I
India chumney Guilbot
June 2, 2020
Mary and I were childhood friends from St. Mary's Hall. When I was the "new kid in the class" she was always the first to include me in conversation, hop scotch or playground activities. Mary's house was always a favorite because she had an endless supply of Delaware Pun... Continue Reading
Troy Davila
June 2, 2020
I’m in disbelief. I’ve had many, many clients over the years but Mary was so nice and friendly to me on every occasion. So friendly. So nice. So personable. I will truly miss her.
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Glen. & Patti Frierson Shaw
June 1, 2020
Love the beautiful pics of Mary and you over the years! Big hugs to you Craig, we are so sorry for your loss! She will be missed by so many and her furbabies. She was so sweet and kind! Hope to stay in touch and know you are loved!
A candle was posted for Mary Weller Cates.
A candle was posted for Mary Weller Cates.
J
Julie McIntrye
June 1, 2020
Mary was such a huge part of my years at Southwestern. She was my roommate, my Zeta Big Sister and a dear friend. She was always so kind and generous. I have so many wonderful memories. One of my favorites was getting a fresh lime slush from Sonic, adding rum and driving... Continue Reading
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Joan Lufburrow
June 1, 2020
Craig, Steve and I just learned of Mary’s passing. We are very saddened by the news and we are holding you close in our prayers. When I think of Mary, it’s her smile that I remember most, it could light a room. She was always full of joy and was so caring. Steve and I ... Continue Reading
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Craig Cates
June 1, 2020
I worked for Cy Weller's, K.L Breeden’s truck line in the summers of 77 and 78 in San Antonio and Dallas, respectively. Loading trucks was tough but it paid well. I ran into the fella that cleaned the trucks; a fella named Nathan, but everyone called him, “Chopper.” Chop... Continue Reading