Mary Ann Caldera

Mary Ann Caldera, 79, of Hewitt, Tx, passed away to eternal rest with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ peacefully surrounded by her three daughters, three dog children, Ladybug, Angel and Big Boy, her loving childhood companion, her beautiful treasured nieces and nephews, and her cherished grandchildren on Friday, August 13, 2021, at her residence. Mary cherished her family and friends. Mary considered her friends as “family”. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, August 19th , from 6 pm to 8 pm with the Rosary at 7 p.m. lead by Rev. John Boiko at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4250 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX 76710. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, August 20th , at St. Mary Church of the Assumption, 1401 Washington Ave., Waco, Texas 76701, with Rev. John Boiko, officiating. She will be laid to rest by her beloved Camelot, Ausencio B. Caldera, who passed away on April 6, 1989. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 South 5th Street in Waco, TX, following the mass service.

Mary was born in the small town of Speegleville, Texas, on October 8,1941, to Jose and Beulah (Godfrey) Rodriguez, who were from Liberty, Texas, and St. Charles, Louisiana. She grew up in various towns all over Texas from Fort Worth, Axtell, to Mt. Calm, Tx. Her mother, Beulah, became ill and this caused Mary to live with various family friends, who to this day are truly appreciated by her family. Mary had two brothers, Wallace and John, and a sister, Juanita Smith. Growing up, she eventually met her one true love, the late Ausencio “Sam” Caldera, and they were married on February 14, 1959. Mary and Sam became proud parents to three daughters, Sylvia, Teresa and Rebecca. These three women learned from their mother how to be strong, independent and career driven. Mary set the example working full-time and attending McLennan Community College. She was a LVN for Hillcrest Baptist Hospital for 24 years and also proudly helped open the new Hillcrest Baylor Scott and White Hospital. Mary served in various leadership roles as an active member of the Waco LULAC Council #273. She was an active board member, youth group leader, and bingo operator for LULAC. Mary helped orchestrate the LULAC George Washington Ball and the Black and White Ball. Mary was able to lend a helping hand to raise funds for educational college scholarships awarded to local youths. Mary lead the LULAC Youth Council #123 helping youth to travel across the United States and promote the Latino culture for the greater good of education and civic leadership. She was a devoted wife, mother, loving sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother. She was the spiritual leader to Our Lord, Jesus Christ, by helping others with her wisdom. Mary will be cherished and remembered always by many generations. The Caldera family wanted to express their appreciation to Rev. John Boiko. It is with great admiration and many thanks in appreciation to the Barney Galvan Family for loving Mary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Beulah Rodriguez; her beloved husband, Ausencio “Sam” Caldera; her siblings, Wallace Rodriguez, Sr., Juanita Smith and John Rodriguez; as well as other family members over time that have passed away.

She leaves to cherish and carry on her legacy, her daughters, Sylvia Caldera, Kenneth Johnson of Waco; Teresa Fajardo and husband, Robert, of China Spring; and Rebecca Blankenstein and husband, Robert, of Woodway; her loving companion and childhood friend, Barney Galvan; grandchildren, LuChana Christine Ayers and husband, Willie of Little Elm, Laurissa Caldera Jones and husband, Troy of Dallas, Robert Brian Fajardo, Michael Joseph Fajardo, Brandon Thomas Fajardo of Denton, Bobby Blankenstein of Los Angeles, Ca., August Ausencio Blankenstien, and Paisley Mary Rose Blankenstein; great-grandchildren, Christian Dominic Ayers and Madisyn Vivana Ayers; sisters-in-law, Tillie Roderiguez of Denver, Colorado and Christine Sancillo Rodriguez of Waco; brother-in-law, Floyd E. Smith of Waco; many nieces, nephews and all of their families as well as many friends. She was Godmother to many who will cherish her memory as well.

Pallbearers will be Robert “Bobby” Fajardo, Michael Fajardo, Brandon Fajardo, Robert “Bobby Blankenstein, Paul Payne, John Rodriguez Jr., and Timothy “TJ” Rodriguez. Honorary pallbearers will be Christian Ayers, John Rodriguez, Timothy Rodriguez Sr., and August Blankenstein.