Mary Salinas

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Maria de los Reyes Salinas, affectionately known as Mary by many, entered into eternal rest on Monday, the 23rd of September 2024, in the comfort of her Brownsville residence surrounded by her loving family. She was 79 years of age. 

Mary was born in San Benito, Texas, on April 3, 1945, daughter of the late Guadalupe Zuniga and Maria Inez Fernandez. She was raised in Brownsville and graduated Brownsville High School Class of 1965. Mary went on to obtain her bachelor's degree in education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville and her master's degree in education and vocational counseling from Texas State University in San Marcos. 

Throughout her amazing career in education, Mary was a dedicated educator, coach, counselor, and administrator with a passion for ensuring that every child would pursue higher education. She worked with the Brownsville Independent School District for close to four decades. She was also involved in helping migrant children as new arrivals to this country. As a coach, she trained student athletes in track, volleyball, and basketball with all teams winning district championships. Her true passion was as a school counselor, helping students navigate their educational endeavors as they sought to excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and sports. Mary served as the administrator of the Guidance and Counseling Department at BISD for six years. She mentored many of the current counselors throughout the community and held deep bonds and friendships with many at the school district. She was a person of true character. A servant to others and an excellent leader. Mary retired as the administrator of the counseling department in 2006 after thirty-seven years in education.

Mary was a dedicated member of Iglesia Metodista Unida El Buen Pastor and always sought ways to bring in contributions for the church that she loved dearly. Her favorite pastimes included arts and crafts, creating floral arrangements for her home, her friends, and for her church, and tending to her beautiful garden. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend to many. She will be greatly missed by all of those fortunate to have known her. She graciously devoted eight years in San Antonio to help raise her two grandchildren, dedicating her precious time to ensure they received the best care and support possible.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents, Guadalupe Zuniga and Maria Inez Fernandez Zuniga, and her siblings Celia Zuniga, Manuel Zuniga, Maria Angelica Zamora, and Mauricio Lopez.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 42 years, Gustavo Salinas, Jr.; her loving children, Gustavo Salinas III (Gloria Garcia Salinas) and Claudia Dina Salinas; her grandsons, Gustavo Salinas IV and Gavin Oliver Salinas; her siblings Tony Zuniga (Patsy), Leo Zuniga (Delia), Guillermina Manjarrez, and Homer Fernandez; her brothers-in-law, Miguel Salinas (Maria Elena) and Alfredo Salinas (Belinda De La Cruz); in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members. 

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, the 25th of September 2024 between the hours of four o'clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with a recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Wednesday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

Visiting hours will resume on Thursday, the 26th of September 2024 between the hours of nine o'clock in the morning to one o'clock in the afternoon within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at two o o’clock in the afternoon at Iglesia Metodista Unida El Buen Pastor, 435 Boca Chica Boulevard, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Gustavo Salinas III, Homer Fernandez, Miguel Salinas, Alfredo Salinas, Jason Salinas, Cesar Manjarrez, David Zuniga, and Roy Cerda.

Honorary pallbearers are Tony Zuniga and Leo Zuniga.

Contributions in memory of Mary may be directed to Iglesia Metodista Unida El Buen Pastor, 435 Boca Chica Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 542-4145.

Memories of Mary 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.