Mary S Zarate

Weslaco- Mary S Zarate, 57, passed away on Saturday, August 26th, 2017 after a long battle with diabetes. She was born on October 2, 1959 to Jesus ad Guadalupe Sepulveda in Weslaco, Texas. Mary had 6 sisters and 4 brothers. She graduated from Weslaco High School in 1978. Mary began working at Church's Fried Chicken in Mercedes right out of high school. She worked her way up to manager and she managed the La Feria location for over 20 years. After retiring from Church's Chicken, Mary worked for Knapp Medical Center for several years in food service. Mary worked very hard and raised four children, Annette, Melissa, Roque and Dalia as a single mom. She would finally marry the love of her life, Pedro Zarate, in 2003. When Mary was not working, she loved to play bingo and chalupa. She really enjoyed gambling, so she and Pedro traveled to Las Vegas many times as well as New Orleans on occasion. Mary was a wonderful mom and grandma. She cherished her time with her grandchildren. She fell ill shortly after her daughter, Annette's, untimely death. She is preceded by her daughter, her parents and her brother, Ramon Sepulveda. Mary is survived by her husband of fourteen years, Pedro Zarate, her daughter, Melissa Leija of Corpus Christi, her son Roque DeLeon III (Liz), of Rio Hondo, Dalia DeLeon (Mark Noriega) of Weslaco, son in law, Eloy Leija, grandchildren, Matthew and Gabby Leija, Sophia, Mia and Roque IV De Leon, Alexa Noriega, Ryan, Megan and Desiree Garcia, brothers, George Sepulveda, Pedro Sepulveda, and Joe Sepulveda, sisters, Dolores Castillo, Sara Gonzalez, Esther Ortiz, Mellie Gomez, Rosa Moreno, and Ellie Garcia. Mary will always be remembered as a very hard worker with an outgoing and selfless personality. She was a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 29th, from 4-9pm. Cremation will follow on Wednesday, August 30th.