Maria E. Montemayor

Maria E. Montemayor Maria E. Montemayor, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 in Laredo, Texas. This is the story of Maria Elia Montemayor. Maria “Mary” Montemayor was a 5’1” force of nature. Born Maria De La O in Laredo, Texas, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, one of the earliest accounts of this phenomenal woman was an incident in which she stood up for herself against a misogynistic math teacher, which led to her dropping out of high school her senior year. Nothing spurred Mary on more than someone telling her that she could not accomplish something. One fateful day, Mary met Juan Carlos Montemayor at San Luis Rey Church. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Carlos was her soulmate. That day began a four-year courtship. She began working at Mercy Hospital as a candy striper, a nurse’s aide, and a ward clerk. Finally, Carlos asked her if she liked him enough to spend the rest of her life with him, and she said yes! They had four daughters. While raising her family, she also got her GED, went to college, made the Dean’s List and graduated with an Associate Degree as a Registered Nurse. Thus began her legendary nursing career, which spanned 30 years. She was one of the founders of the first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Laredo, and went on to work in various departments at Mercy Hospital and Doctors Hospital, and she also worked with Home Health. She helped save countless lives, including that of a baby born 14 weeks premature. She disarmed a knife wielding assailant who was at least a foot taller than her, and left him blanched with fear and very well scolded. She comforted the sick and the dying, and lived by the motto of being honest even if it meant that it would make her look bad. She worked in pediatrics, special procedures, recovery and surgery. But her life saving and caring for others did not stop there. She was known as Mom to countless Choicers and Nixon Band Members. She and our Dad “adopted” many children along the way. The words mijo, and mija were not reserved only for her biological children, and the people who called her Mom number more than we can ever count. All her accomplishments aside, her greatest legacy was that of faithful daughter, loving wife, best mom and grandma, and doting sister. Mrs. Montemayor is preceded in death by her parents, Pedro De La O and Cleotilde C. Segura. She is survived by her husband, Juan Carlos Montemayor: daughters, Sylvia A. Montemayor, Leticia (Daniel) Guardiola, Araceli M. (David) Salas, Ana L. (Michael) Urie; siblings, Linda D. Madrigal, Maria G. (Jesus) Flores, Emma (Juan) Leza and Manuel De La O. Mrs. Montemayor is also survived by her grandchildren, Ariel Ireland, Maria A. Salas, Mina Salas and Michael Urie, II. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, numerous relatives and friends. A rosary will be recited on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 10:45 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to St. Jude Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.