Maria "Mari" Antonia Hernandez Cantu, was called home on January 14, 2023 at the age of 76.

She was born in Taylor, Texas to her parents Maria Antonia Medina and Julian Hernandez, Sr. on July 9, 1946 and moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1951.

A beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many is now at rest. Mari received her formal education at Roy Miller High School graduating in the Class of 1964 and then went on to obtain her Associates Degree in Applied Science Registered Nurse Education. In 1958, Mari became a volunteer Candy Striper at Memorial Medical Center and was awarded the very first Candy Striper of the Year in 1960. Mari passed her State Board RN in 1975 and worked in Labor and Delivery and OPSU before retiring in 2011. She also received the President's Award / Employee of the Year in 1982 and the Ned & Carol Dewey Award for Nurse Recognition in 1991.

She will be remembered for her service to others, being a wonderful nurse and showing love and devotion to anyone she encountered. Mari enjoyed dancing, volunteering and spending time with her beloved family. Being a mother and grandmother brought great joy and purpose to her life. Amongst her busy life as a mother and a nurse she always made time for her church, she was a devoted member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, participating in numerous retreats and conferences throughout the years. She taught parenting classes at the Red Cross and was a lifelong blood donor.

We are comforted today by our faith in Christ who Mari knew to be her Lord and Savior. This legacy of strength and selfless love that she blessed our family and community with will fill our hearts for generations to come.

She is joined now in heaven by her parents Maria Antonia Medina and Julian Hernandez, Sr.; stepfather Nick Medina; and siblings: Margarita Vasquez, Emily Gilcrest, Andrea Casares, and Julian Hernandez, Jr.

Mari leaves behind to cherish these memories, her children: Judy (Orlando) Ortiz, Juan Gilbert (Liza) Cantu, Daniel (Erika) Cantu; grandchildren: Megan Cantu, Zander Ortiz, Matthew Cantu, Daxton Ortiz, Olivia Cantu, Ethan Cantu; previous spouse and father of her children: Juan Cantu; siblings: Teodoro Hernandez, Teresa Guerra, Ernestina (George) Rosas, Grace Resendez; along with a host of extended members of the family and countless friends whom she loved.

Public Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Guardian Funeral Home with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m. that evening.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2023 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 3502 Saratoga Blvd. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park, 2731 Comanche St.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Juan Gilbert Cantu, Daniel Cantu, Juan Cantu, Zander Ortiz, Matthew Cantu, Orlando Ortiz, and Daxton Ortiz.