Maria Casillas

MARIA DE JESUS "CHITA" CASILLAS December 05, 1931 - January 12, 2015 Maria de Jesus "Chita" Casillas, 83, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 12, 2015. She died peacefully accompanied by her entire family. She was born in Chihuahua, Chihuahua on December 05, 1931. She came to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas as a teenager and started her teaching career shortly after. She then joined the telephone company Ericson as a telefonista operator where she nurtured lifelong friendships. After her marriage to Mario Gilberto Casillas on January 19, 1961, she worked as a sales lady first for Stanley Home Products and then at the Marcis store located in downtown Laredo. Maria de Jesus was a devoted mother and excellent cook whose greatest satisfaction was to cook for her family. Her recipes for cabrito, chicken pot pie, and fruit cake were among some of her signature dishes which regularly adorned the table at family gatherings. Her philosophy was based on the belief that food is the greatest common denominator to bring family together in times of happiness, tribulations, and sorrow. She is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Mario Gilberto Casillas; she also leaves behind her three children, Teresita de Jesus (Adolfo) Guevara, Patricia (Juan Manuel) Abrego, and Mario Gerardo (Norma) Casillas; ten grandchildren, Mayte (Jose Luis) Alvarez, Adolfo Guevara, Miriam Abrego, Mario Casillas, Jessica Guevara, Judith Abrego, Vianey Guevara, Lorena Abrego, Eloy Casillas, and Gina Guevara; as well as her two loving great grandchildren, Cecilia and Jose Alvarez. The family will receive condolences Wednesday, January 14, 2015 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., with a Rosary scheduled to commence at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning, January 15, 2015 departing at 9:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to Christ the King Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. A private cremation will be held at a later date. You may express your condolences to the family online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956) 722-8850.