Maria del Carmen Villanueva, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to be with our Lord on September 24, 2022.  She was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 14, 1933 to Avelardo Torres and Santiaga Trevino, but lovingly raised by Heriberto Torres and Abigail Torres.  She was eighty-eight years old.  She is preceded in death by her husband of forty-nine years, Philip P. Villanueva, a sister and brothers, and great-grandsons Isaac Joseph and Isaiah Jacob.

She is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Robert); sons, Philip (Carol), Edward (Leonor) and Michael.  She leaves behind numerous grandchildren whom she loved very much:  Amber (Armando), Benjamin, Andrew (Crystal), Michael, Alyssa (Erik), Bradley (Jodi), Emily (Daniel), Abby (Joseph), Isabella, Isaac, and Joel.  She also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren whom she loved very much:  Aaliyah, Riley, David, Sarah, Danny, Oliver, Alyssa, Brandon, and two great-granddaughters to be born in October:  Lainey Grace and Aubrey June. She also considered as her brothers and sisters the following Torres siblings:  Heriberto Jr. (deceased), Hector, Consuelo, Javier, Marta, Lucy, Daniel and Joe.

Mary was a life-long member of Christ the King Catholic Church.  Her vocation was in nursing, a career she loved.  She began her nursing career at the Nix Hospital and worked at various hospitals and nursing homes in San Antonio for forty years. She loved watching the daily Mass on Catholic Television and her novelas and game shows, especially the Price is Right (with Bob Barker!) and Family Feud!  She loved her birds-canaries, parrots, cockatiels, and "chicos".  She  also loved her plants and flowers (Such a green thumb that she could make a stick grow!).

Mama was a very dedicated Spurs fan!  Especially during the playoffs. Whenever the playoff theme song started, "Y'all Ready for This!", the tv volume would have to be cranked up super loud, as she waved her Spurs gear in the air!  She loved when they were winning but not when they were losing.  She'd say, "Just turn it off!"

Our beloved Mama was a wonderful cook.  As her kids started their own families, Mom would always have a delicious meal ready for Friday evening.  Her enchiladas, arroz, frijoles, flour tortillas, capirotada, crispy beef tacos and chicken mole were unmatched! She loved listening to Vicente Fernandez, Antonio Aguilar, Celia Cruz, and Ranchera songs in general.  She loved to dance!

Mama, Mom, Mommy, Granny will be greatly missed by us all, but we know she is in a better place, the best place, in heaven with God, our Communion of Saints  (and our Dad!).

Thank you to the Compasses Hospice team who cared for our Mama in her home.  Thank you to Chaplain Robert Coon for praying with and for our Mama.  Thank you to Father Abel Ruiz for anointing, blessing and praying for her.

Visitation will be held at Castillo Mission Funeral Home from 3:30-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m.  The funeral procession will depart the funeral home by 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, for a 9:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the King Catholic Church, 2610 Perez Street.  Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., Shelter #3.