Maria Elena Cantu passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 27, 2021, at the age of 70. She was the oldest child and only daughter born to Horacio and Catarina De La Garza Rodriguez on September 28, 1950, in San Diego, Texas. Mary was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and dear friend. She enjoyed family gatherings and cooking for her family and friends. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, where she expected the entire family to be united celebrating the birth of Christ, with laughter and home cooked meals. She was a woman of strong faith who served St. Joseph, St. Peters, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and St. Mary’s Catholic Churches, teaching religious education, and working with the youth.
Maria Elena is preceded in death by her parents Catarina and Horacio Rodriguez, brother Rene Rodriguez, parents-in-law Jose and Elvira Cantu, brothers-in-law David Cantu and Rene Cantu, and sisters-in-law Elda Medellin and Susan Rodriguez.
Left to cherish Mary’s memories is her loving husband of 52 years, Conrado T. Cantu of Alice, Texas ; her son Conrad (Michele) Cantu of Freer, Texas; daughters, Catherine Cantu of Alice, Texas, Anna Lisa (Robert) Vela of New Braunfels, Texas and Marcy (Marcelo) Hernandez of Alice, Texas; brothers Horacio (Elisa) Rodriguez of Freer, Texas , Rudy (Leticia) Rodriguez of Freer, Texas, Robert De La Fuente of Lytle, Texas , and Michael Rodriguez of Freer, Texas ; grandchildren, Victoria Gonzalez, Marcus Hernandez, Allison Vela, Lauren Hernandez, Makayla Cantu, Madeline Vela, Cameran Cantu, Lexi Hernandez, and Emma Vela; great-grandchildren, Nadia Hernandez, Geovanni Gonzalez, and Joseph Gonzalez; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The family will receive friends and relatives at 5 P.M. on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Rosas Funeral Home. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 P.M. that evening. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday October 4, 2021 at 10 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Freer, Texas. Burial will follow at the Freer Hahl Memorial Park.
Serving as pall bearers are Dr. Robert Vela, Marcelo Hernandez, Marcus Hernandez, Victoria Gonzalez, Desi Ibarra, Dennis Torres, Dr. Cidonio Cantu and Mike Cantu.
Rosas Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
