MARIA “Helen” P. CORTEZ

Maria "Helen" P. Cortez, 81, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at her residence in Pharr.

Helen was born in Alamo, was a 1960 graduate of Edinburg High School, and worked 15 years for PSJA ISD until she went on to help her husband in their property development/management business. She spent many years as a faithful parishioner and volunteer at St Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Pharr.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugenio and Juanita Perez; two sisters, Elia Perez and Elisa Cortez; and the father of her children, Amado Cortez Jr.

Mrs. Cortez is survived by her two children, Ricardo Cortez, Ann Ellen Cortez; four siblings, Eugenio (Sylvia) Perez, Elva P. Pena, Emilia P. Giron, and Eduardo Perez.

At her request pallbearers will be her nephews, Roberto Perez, Carlos E. Perez, David Horacio Pena, Rudy, and Gene Giron, and Xavier Cortez. The family would like to especially thank her caregivers who lovingly cared for mom for over 10 years, Irma Suhei Najera, Irma Deleon, and Eva Sifuentes.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. rosary Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 122 W Hawk Ave. in Pharr. Cremation will take place at Memorial Cremation Center, with a private interment to be scheduled at a later date. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.