María Elena S. De León

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – María Elena S. De León entered into eternal rest on Friday, the 29th of July 2022 in the comfort of her Brownsville residence surrounded by her loving family. She was ninety-one years of age.

María Elena was born on April 22, 1931 in Brownsville, Texas, daughter of the late Gaspar De León Mata and Rosa De León Sierra. She attended Webb Elementary, Immaculate Concepcion School, Villa Maria High School, and J. T. Canales School of Nursing where she earned her license as a vocational nurse. She then practiced nursing at Mercy Hospital, Retama Manor, and Four Seasons nursing homes.

María Elena was the second eldest of a family of fifteen who at an early age learned and exemplified the epitome of family and responsibility. Upon her father's untimely death, she rolled up her sleeves and ensured that her younger siblings had what they needed. Despite her father's absence and great efforts on her behalf, all except one of her younger siblings completed their private schooling and then some. She was always quick to support her siblings' interests whether it was competing in school and church queen contests to talent shows, and or little league baseball. Her motherly role carried onto adulthood as she was present for many of her nieces and nephews births chronicling every name and birth date in her infamous family tree journal.

María Elena was a loving and kind hearted human being who wore her heart on her sleeve. She was always quick to lend a hand to whomever needed it, often opening her home to those less fortunate. She loved God as much if not more than her family and worked diligently alongside her sisters to make certain that the neighborhood children learn their catechism and often sponsored many of them for their first communion. She was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Cathedral for most of her life and sponsored a carnival booth there for many years before attending Holy Family Catholic church where she enjoyed going to Sunday bingos with her dear niece Elizabeth and her sisters Rosa and Eva.

Though a diabetic since the age of thirty, María Elena's nursing background and astounding will power and diligence kept her quite healthy until recently when her heart began to decline. She spent the last few weeks at home alongside her sister Eva as she prepared for her earthly departure. And, being the meticulous woman that she was, she had every detail of her funeral written down. That was María Elena, always prepared.

Preceding María Elena in death were her parents, Gaspar De León, Sr. and Rosa De León; her siblings Delfina Cisneros (Humberto+), Antonia Dávila (Esteban+), Jesús De León, Carlos De León, Sr. (Rosa), Gaspar De León, Jr. (Paula +), Rosa De León, Matilde Martínez (Daniel+), Dolores Gracia (Juan), Olivia González, and Lourdes Medina (Jose+); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her siblings Guadalupe Caballero (Juan), Humberto De León, Sr. (Ninfa+), Evangelina Alcala (Manuel+), Jose Angel De León (Nellie+), and Lorenzo De León, Sr. (Juanita); her best friend, Irma Vera; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 4th of August 2022 between the hours of two o’clock in the afternoon and nine o’clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o’clock Thursday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The rosary will be livestreamed and recorded for viewing. This video may be accessed by visiting her obituary tribute page at www.darlingmouser.com.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at twelve noon on Friday, the 5th of August 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2405 E. Tyler Street, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers are Pedro Salazar, Carlos De León, Jr., Danny De León, Amancio Cantú, David González, Humberto De León, Jr., Gustavo Medina, and Cristobal Cisneros.

Honorary pallbearers are Gaspar De León III, Hugo Caballero, Juan Gracia, Jr., Gaspar Davila, and Lorenzo De León, Jr.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who in one way or another helped María Elena on her journey home. Special thanks to Fr. Josh Carlos for visiting with her in the hospital in the wee hours of the night as well as at home.

Memories of María Elena may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.