Mary Apolinar

Mary Apolinar, 93, of Pecos, Texas passed away Wednesday, May 03, 2023, in the home of her son surrounded by family. Mary was born August 15, 1929, in Fort Collins, Colorado to Wenceslao and Dolores Calderon.

A devout Catholic and active member of the Church, she spent time working the Santa Rosa Food Bank, teaching CCD, as well as being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Outside of the Church, she served her community in a myriad of ways by being a member of the Reeves County Hospital Board, Community Council, and in charge of the local chapter of the Red Cross. A well-known and well-loved member of the community, she was also nominated Hispanic Woman of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Her 93 years in this world teaches us time is soft. It bends and when something seems forever, we realize it isn’t. Suddenly all we have left are memories. Our lives won’t be forever, but her legacy will be. A legacy of family, love, and a life well spent. It’s impossible to know if our lives will be long or short. All we can do is live them. Everyone gets the same time: a lifetime. And hers was extraordinary.

She is preceded in death by her husband Frank Apolinar, her parents Wenceslao and Dolores Calderon, her sons Frank and Steve Apolinar, her daughter Alice Matta, and her granddaughter Krystal Matta.

She is survived by her son Ben Apolinar, and daughters Mary Ann Sylvester, Rachel Apolinar Dominguez, Sylvia Huertas, Delores Apolinar, and Patricia Apolinar as well as 25 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Emken-Linton Funeral Home, 5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expwy, with a Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Texas City Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Rite of committal will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.