Mary Louisa Mendoza

May 12, 1935 - December 28, 2020

Mary Lou Mendoza was born to Jesus and Juanita Puente on May 12, 1935 in Gallup, New Mexico. She is a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend to many. Mary passed away peacefully on Monday Dec 28, 2020. She is preceded in death by her late husband Tony Mendoza, sons Robert Mendoza, Gustavo Perez and daughter Patricia Steinberg. Mary is survived by her children Carmen Puente-Heck, Meda Perez, Roberta Perez, Michelle Miranda, Ramona Castellanos and Juan Mendoza. Mary will be fondly remembered by her thirty-three grandchildren, forty-five great grandchildren along with a brother Tony Puente, two sisters Helen Cordero and Emma Cota and countless nieces and nephews. In 1955, Mary moved to Tracy from San Diego with her daughter Carmen, her mother (mama Jenny), her three brothers Tony, Jesse, Willie and sisters Ernestina and Helen. Leaving behind her brother Manual, and sisters Emma and Lola. Shortly after getting settled into her new home Mary found work at H.J. Heinz Company. Mary enjoyed cooking. When some of the neighborhood kids on Palm Circle smelled her tamales and tortillas they would immediately come sit and talk with her as a distraction while another took tamales and tortillas, always quick to return with apologies, they were just that good. She was a conversationalist, eager to lend an ear and then some. Mary enjoyed crossword puzzles and word search books, that contributed to her sharp memory as she could remember birthdays of the grandkids and even the great grandkids. In her down time, she loved watching telenovelas and as much as she spoke to the characters, she could have gotten a part! Mary, mom, Maria, you are and will always be truly missed, and as you would say, “I know it!” A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Thursday January 7, 2021 at Tracy Memorial Chapel, 5 W Highland Avenue, Tracy California. A viewing will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. (all are welcome) A rosary to follow from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. (family only due to COVID restrictions) To view memorial tribute online: www.tracymemorialchapel.com. Interment services will be held at Tracy Public Cemetery501 East Schulte Road Tracy, CA