Maria De Jesus Nieto

WESLACO - Born on July 10, 1962, Mary Nieto made the world a better place. First, as a daughter to Leonardo Seferino Limas and Rosa Reyes Limas. She brought her parents great joy with her beautiful smile, big eyes, curly hair, and brilliant mind. She kept her mom and dad to herself for 5 years, at which point she was ready for the role of big sister to Rosalinda Garcia, Leonardo Seferino Limas, Jr., and Nanette Limas Lukasik. She was a great big sister. She’s known for cooking their favorite foods for them, buying their favorite gifts, tending to their wounds and illnesses, and most importantly, for bringing them closer to the Lord. Prior to earning her nursing degree in 1985, she met her life partner, Heriberto Nieto. In 1986, she and Eddie were wed, and to quote him, she changed his life forever, making him the great husband, father, and man he is today. Later that year, Mary and Eddie’s first child was born, Cassandra Nieto Jimenez, followed by Heriberto Nieto (Little Ed) just a few hours before 1991.

Mary’s love for her children was exceptional. She spoke on the phone with Cassandra every morning. Also a nurse, Cassandra and Mary related on a unique level…they both shared a passion for nursing, caring for others, and science, in general. To see her with Little Ed and his friends, who would soon be known as “her sons” as well, was inspiring. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her boy and his friends.

In 2007, Mary and Eddie became grandparents. Leon Andrew Garza was named after “Papa Leon,” and was Mary’s heart and soul. She was smitten with him 24/7. Christina Garza was later born in 2008; with a deep resemblance to Cassandra, Christina was the apple in Mary’s eyes, and could do no wrong. In 2012, Cassandra married Emmanuel “Manny” Jimenez, and Mary gained another “Son,” a name proudly bestowed upon him. Through this union, Mary also welcomed 2 additional grandchildren into her life: EJ and Jayden. Mary quickly fell in love with them, as well. In 2014, Cassandra and Manny welcomed Mary’s fifth grandchild into the world: Isabella “Bella.” Bella provided another reason for Mary to do one of her favorite things – shop. Mary loved to shop…whether it was a sexy outfit for the Gaslight Club, a gift/token for a special friend, or a pair of dancing shoes, Mary always found a way to bring beauty into the space she was in. Yes, Mary made the world a better place as a daughter, sister, nurse, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, but ultimately, she left her mark here as a Woman of God.

As a Woman of God, Mary belonged to Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in La Joya, from youth through her wedding day; St. Joseph the Worker in Donna from 1986-2007; and St. Pius in Weslaco, Texas from 2007-2015. As a parishioner, she was a lector, Eucharistic minister, and member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mary could be found at church for daily 5:30am Mass and never missed on Sundays. In fact, when she received her cancer diagnosis, she implored her husband and son, that no matter how sick she got, that they always take her to church. Three weeks before her battle with cancer ended, Mary didn’t go to Sunday church for the first time in her adult life. Mary’s devotion to God wasn’t only defined by her involvement in the church, though. Her love of God showed in the way she treated every being, every day of her life, and by the manner in which she lived her life in general. Mary remained devoted through the end, declaring with her beautiful smile, “God has a plan.” Those of us left behind know that His plan is a grand one for one of His most prized angels.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 14th, from 1-9pm and Sunday, November 15th, from 1-9pm with a rosary at 5pm both days at McCaleb Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, November 16th at 10:00am at St. Pius Catholic Church in Weslaco. Interment will follow at Sacred Park Cemetery in Mercedes.