Maria Alicia Hinojosa

Maria Alicia Hinojosa, 75, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Maria Alicia DeLeon was born August 5, 1945 to Andres DeLeon & Maria Escamilla DeLeon in Weslaco, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Fernando DeLeon, David DeLeon, Jose DeLeon, and Florentino DeLeon. She is survived by one son, Noe Hinojosa Jr. of Weslaco, TX, one daughter, Leticia Denise Rivas of San Antonio; and three sisters, Esperanza Garcia of Mercedes, TX, Aracelia (Chela) Mendoza of Houston, TX, and Oralia (Laly) Ayala of Mercedes, TX. Also surviving are her four grandchildren, Alejandra Hinojosa, Zefrain Noe Hinojosa, Nathan Rivas and Matthew Rivas.

Mary A. Hinojosa was a career teacher devoting her entire life to helping to educate and guide children, especially bilingual kids. She graduated Weslaco High School, class of 1965. She was the first in her family to graduate from college. She graduated from Pan American University with a Bachelors of Arts in Education and a bilingual teaching certificate in 1969. She then started her career as a bilingual teacher in the first grade at Roosevelt Elementary in Weslaco, TX, and her teaching career continued from there in her beloved hometown. She eventually moved on to teach at the fourth grade at Sam Houston Elementary in Weslaco, TX, then she taught Junior High at Mary Hoge in Weslaco, TX. She earned her Masters degree in Education in May of 1992. In addition to her regular teaching position, she often earned extra income with her small business: Mary’s Flowers and Gifts, and by teaching summer school and eventually night school once her kids got older. She finished her career at Cleckler Heald Elementary where she retired in May of 2001. She continued as a private tutor in her home after she retired.
Mary Hinojosa was a prayer warrior, full of faith and love for the Lord. She walked almost every day at the school track or on her neighborhood street, praying her rosary as she went. She prayed every day for her family and friends and will always be remembered for her boundless faith in God. She was an incredibly loving daughter to her mother, and sister to her siblings, and mother to her children, and aunt to her nieces and nephews, and grandmother to her grandchildren. She was always teaching and always giving. Her students absolutely adored her positive energy and her loving nature. Her motto was to “always be thoughtful and considerate”, and she made sure she engrained this into her kids and everyone else’s kids. Mary was always leading by example. She was always working and striving to be better and to do better. Mary was never lazy, always frugal, and always saving her money for a rainy day. She was the class treasurer in High School, and Mary was an excellent treasurer of her own finances as an adult. Between her incredible drive and work ethic, and her ability to save her money, she was an excellent provider for her two children which she raised as a single parent. Mary loved music, art, and movies. She loved to dance. Mary also loved to shop the sales and spend time with her family and friends. She never missed anyone’s special events no matter how seemingly trivial. Mary was always there for everyone without fail. She was smart and educated and she always had money, so everyone came to her for help when they needed something, and she always gave of herself and of whatever she had without hesitation. Mary never sought excuses to avoid someone’s invitation. She was always determined and committed to being “attentive and polite” with everyone no matter how young or old, which was another one of her mottos and one of her many catch phrases like calling everyone “Darlings” and constantly saying “lovely lovely” in response to almost anything. Mary loved the game of football and her beloved Dallas Cowboys as well as the game of Basketball and her beloved San Antonio Spurs. She cheered them on enjoying watching their games immensely. Above all, she treasured spending time with her children and grandchildren and her many friends. Mary was so proud of her son and daughter and all their achievements. The same was true of her grandchildren. The precious memories she created will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew her. Mary was larger than life. She always found a way to make the days fun and interesting with her lively sense of humor and sharp wit. There were plenty of laughs and lots of hugs and occasional tears. Everyone that met her as a teacher, as a colleague, and as a friend was glad to know her. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.

Visitation will be this Friday, April 30, 2021, at 4:00 PM at Guerra Funeral Home of Weslaco - Chapel of The Heavens. The rosary will be that same evening from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Saturday morning, May 1, 2021, we will begin gathering at Guerra Funeral Home at 9:00 AM, and we will proceed to Highland Memorial Park on FM 88, in Weslaco, TX. The funeral service will begin graveside at Highland Memorial Park at 11:00 AM, conducted by San Martin de Porres’ Father Pedro Hernandez. Pallbearers will be Isaias DeLeon, Danny Garcia, Javier Ayala, Ismael Ayala, Jason DeLeon, and Joshua DeLeon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Guerra Funeral Home of Weslaco, Inc., 2602 N. Texas Ave., Weslaco, TX (956) 969-1461.

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