Mary Cordova Castellanos

Mary came to Tucson looking for a new life from Belen New Mexico she and her uncles and aunts did what they could do in South Tucson. Mary learned thrifty and how to stretch a meal from those days. She was glad to find a deal at the Thrift store but also enjoyed to see how the others lived with more means. As a thrifty gal she surprised Richard with a savings account that Fully funded and allowed the construction of the back patio into a Mary's room. In JR high Mary met Richard at Stafford Junior High school in Tucson. There she and he would go on walks and he tried like he could to win her over. She loved to dance ,and when allowed she did dance and her and Richard were married after Tucson High Graduation in 1955 Mary loved Angels; she was always making angels in glass and other creations, Chalk Angels and craft angels around the house. Mary as a homemaker created a steady and consistent home for her 5 children, Thomas, Roseann, Teresa, Mark and Andrea. 14 grand children, She was creative and taught her Children to celebrate all holidays. Valentine's days, St Patrick's day, Easter, Independence day, T Day and Christmas. Always decorated and passed on the time of Family lifting up special days and enjoying time / life together. Mary as a dancer. She loved Cumbia's and would dance at the parish, Casino Ball Room or Marine Club in South Tucson. During the 80th Birthday celebration. Dancing with her loved ones great grand children August, Lucile or her son or daughters she just loved to dance. Mary created many faith filled gifts for her family. Curcillo and the Blue Amry, she had a great devotion to our blessed mother and gave that away in action and hope for some thing better. Mary taught by example and was a dedicated Hostest at St Joeseph parish in Tucson He always invite the priest to come for dinner. Had many key speaker clergy over to the house and was dedicated to building up the faith. One priest called her Holy Mary, as a thing to say her challenges in life were making her Holy. SHe liked to recount that in older days. Mary as a traveler went to many places with Richard. To Rome to see St. John Paul II, to the Holy Land with Equestrian order of Holy Sepulcher, and to Mexico City to see the Guadalupana She loved to travel and share the new ideas she learned from the trips. Mary prepared for her Childrens visit and Grand childrens visits wiht Art projects but mostly with Sweets she had candies, Ice Cream, and other sweets available. In memory care she loved the Frappuccino because it reminded her of cream and sweets. She spent many months telling Richard and her son that Sweets were special . The last visit was with Richard and Tom for lunch March 20 Mary loved the Leprechaun and the Frappuccino Beautiful in and Out Mary smile was the glue and energy that kept her family and husband on track.