Racine – Mary Cruz Valadez, 93, received the promise of eternal life on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, surrounded by the love of her family.  She was born in Monterrey, Mexico on November 22, 1924, daughter of the late Guillermo and Elena (née: Marquez) Alvarez.

Mary worked for many places throughout her life including the Urban League, Spanish Center, George Bray Center, The Salvation Army, and several others where she did various jobs including cooking for large numbers of people.  Mary loved to cook.  Her family will forever miss her rice that no one seems to be able to duplicate.  Mary could be found dancing at weddings and family events as she loved music tremendously.  In her later years, Mary enjoyed testing her luck with the slot machines.  She was definitely "Grandma" to all of Racine.  She could light up a room with her outgoing yet loving personality.  Mary will be dearly missed by her entire family and everyone that knew her.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Ray (Isabel) Valadez, Hilda (Alfonso) Coronado, Araceli Valadez, Otoniel (Lydia) Valadez; 19 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia Reynosa; special friends, Cota Padilla, Minerva Lopez, Eddie Mae Pete; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends too numerous to mention.

In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Benny Gonzales; two sons, Homer Valadez, Raul Valadez; brother, Raul (Francisca) Alvarez; and former husband, Ignacio Valadez.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, 10:30am, at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Javier Guativa officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00am until the time of the Mass.  Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caledonia.  Memorials have been directed to the family.

The family would like to extend a heart-felt note of thanks to Dr. Jayaprakash and his staff, the staff of Ascension Hospice, and all other medical staff who assisted Mary during the last few years.

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