Maria Juarez

Mara Antonia (Toni) Martnez Juarez passed away from a heart attack on April 7, 2012. She was born July 20, 1935 in Laredo, Texas to Enrique Martnez and Margarita Saenz Martnez. She is survived by her husband, Jose Roberto (Beto) Juarez, Sr., her six children, Jose Roberto Juarez, Jr. (Lorene Martnez Juarez), Ana Mara Juarez (Jose Paredes), Manuel Enrique Juarez (Mary Sue Galindo), Gloria Alma Juarez (David Barrera), Laura Margarita Juarez de Ku (Jim Ku), David Tomas Juarez (Marvelia Mendoza Juarez), 11 grandchildren, and her 7 sisters.
If there is any one characteristic about her that stood out it was her constant concern and care for others, especially children and those in need. Toni modeled Catholic beliefs and the virtue of charity.
Like so many in Laredo at the time, she went to an "escuelita" or neighborhood school where she learned to read and write in Spanish. She studied at Ursuline Academy and then transferred to Martin High School for her freshman and sophomore years. She was involved in student government, was a cheerleader, participated in theatre productions, and belonged to several clubs. Her organizational abilities allowed her to be one of the leaders in the Bobby Soxers' Club which sponsored many activities, including formal dances at what was then the only large available dance floor, the Martin High gym. She moved to St. Augustine High School for her last two years, graduating in May, 1953. There she was very active as a catechism teacher, student government officer, cheerleader, and choir member.
Toni became involved in helping the community very early in life. She began to teach "doctrina" (catechism) in her parish, San Jose Church, when she was only six years old. Saturday mornings were dedicated to cleaning San Jose Church, and other evenings were devoted to choir practice or meetings of the Santa Teresitas (a club devoted to St. Theresa). She helped take the parish census. She continued to teach catechism even when she was a student at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. She volunteered to teach at St. Timothy's Church on the West Side. She earned freshman and sophomore credits at Our Lady of the Lake.
Toni met Beto when both were juniors at St. Augustine High. They married on December 18, 1954. Toni, Beto and their six children spent the 1965-1966 academic year in Guadalajara, where Beto was doing his research for his doctorate in history. There she helped to organize the archbishop's archive, and assisted Mormon medical students who provided free services for the poor. After her husband obtained his doctorate in history from the University of Texas at Austin, she resumed her university studies at UT between 1967 and 1969 while serving as Preschool Head Teacher in the City of Austin Child Development Program. The family spent another academic year, 1969-1970, in Guadalajara. Toni continued to catalogue archival materials and to serve as preschool consultant and trainer at the American School of Guadalajara and completed Montessori training by correspondence.
The Juarez clan moved to Davis, California from 1970 to 1975. Toni went to offer her help as a volunteer at a day care center for migrants in nearby Dixon in 1971, but instead she was offered the job of Preschool Head Teacher. In 1975 she was appointed Regional Education Coordinator at Woodland for the Butte County Schools. Even though she was working full-time, she managed to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from Sacramento State University in 1974. Upon the family's return to Laredo in 1975 Toni was appointed Child Development Program Director for the City of Laredo. She greatly expanded that program and served in that capacity until 1985. She became a full-time graduate student thereafter and earned her Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and Reading from Laredo State University in 1987. Her work as a kindergarten teacher at UISD in 1987-1988 was one of the most enriching experiences. Offered a position as adjunct instructor at Laredo State University, she jumped at the chance of training future teachers to carry out the work she loves, child development.
After Beto's retirement from Laredo Junior College and their move to Austin, Toni served on the Board of the Austin Children's Museum in the early 1990s. Upon their return to Laredo Toni again taught Early Childhood Education and Reading courses at Texas A&M International University. At the same time she taught (to her last days) religious courses at San Martn de Porres Church and Adult Education and Ministry Formation for the Diocese of Laredo. One of her greatest commitments was to serve on the Laredo Children's Museum Board of Trustees.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (rosary at 7 p.m.) at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Road, Laredo, Texas 78041.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 1510 Matamoros, Laredo, Texas 78040. We invite you to meet us at the church since there will be no procession from the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be: Jose Roberto Juarez, III, Patricio Gabriel Ku, Daniel Tomas Ku, David Tomas Juarez, Jr., Pablo Alejandro Juarez, Marco Andres Juarez, and Manuel Enrique Juarez, Jr.-Honorary pallbearers are Jim, Jose Paredes, David Barrera, Lorene Martinez Juarez, Mary Sue Galindo, Marvelia Juarez, Marisa Celia Juarez, Juanita Andrea Juarez, Marcella Ines Juarez, and Risa Antonia Paredes Juarez.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Toni's memory may be made to any of the following organizations that Toni passionately supported: St. Edward's CAMP program (assists migrant students); scholarships for Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) or Laredo Community College (LCC) students; Sacred Heart Children's Home in Laredo, TX (an orphanage), or Bethany House of Laredo (feeds the hungry).