Mary Alice Urrutia

Humble, loving, and kind, Mary Urrutia lived a heart-centered life rich in family and faith. With unwavering faith, Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a selfless caretaker who gave willingly and loved freely. Mary was a powerful role model and an inspiration to all who were blessed to know her. Mary will long be remembered and ever so missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope than in the San Antonio, Texas home of Gaitano and Cristina Garcia (nee Farias) as they welcomed their daughter, Mary Alice, into their hearts and home on February 24, 1937.

Mary grew up in the San Juan Capistrano Mission Community, where life was firmly rooted in family, which often required hard work and resourcefulness. Sadly, her father Gaitano Garcia died when Mary was just three years old, leaving her mother with five children to care for on her own. In time, her mother married Enrique Munguia and they had five more children. Her father Enrique worked for the railroad while her mother was a stay-at-home mom. As the oldest daughter in the family, Mary left school after the 8th grade to help raise her siblings and go to work.

On March 16, 1958, Mary exchanged her wedding vows with the love of her life, Jose “Pepe” Urrutia Jr., whom she knew since childhood. The two of them grew up together in the Mission Community and married at the. San Juan Capistrano Mission Church. Nine months later, they were blessed with the birth of their first daughter Alma Rosa. Angela followed three years later. A year after Angela’s birth, Jose Urrutia III was born and sadly passed away 19 days after his birth. Anna Marie was born in 1966, and their family was complete with the birth of Amy Ann in 1970.

In 1963, Mary and “Pepe” moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they raised their family and enjoyed the simple things in life. Their love of Country Western music often inspired a night of dancing, and Mary loved cheering on her Milwaukee Brewers. Mary consciously created a warm and welcoming home, always making room for anyone who needed a safe place to stay. The family vacationed in San Antonio, Texas, to visit family every year. Mary was never happier than when she was sharing the good company of her family and friends. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were truly her heart’s delight.

Mary was passionate about helping to provide education to inner city students, dedicating her talents in the Milwaukee Public Schools, retiring with over 28 years of dedicated service..

Selfless, loyal, and strong, Mary possessed a deep faith and loved the Lord with her whole heart. She embodied the principles of her faith, providing all who were blessed to know her with a powerful role model for how to live a faith-centered life. When Jose “Pepe” Urrutia Jr. died on February 21, 2002, Mary leaned into her faith and family, Mary’s faith remained steadfast, and with her family at her side, she continued to live with grace and gratitude.

Without a doubt, life feels less certain in the absence of Mary’s love and kindness. May we find comfort in our many memories and the honor of carrying her legacy forward. With each moment we choose faith over doubt, welcome a stranger as a friend, provide safe harbor for someone in need, and gather with our loved ones, we celebrate the many ways Mary gifted our lives. In so doing, we keep her love and light alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Mary Alice Urrutia entered into her rest, Friday, December 18, 2020, at the age of 83. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Jose Urrutia Jr.,son Jose Urrutia III and daughter Anna Marie Fajardo and her siblings Jose Garcia, Manuel Garcia, Balvin Garcia, Christine Billings and Olga Urrutia. Cherished mother of Alma (the late John) Capetillo, Angela (David) Torres, and Amy (Alex) Martinez. Loving grandmother of Adrianna Mendoza, David (Jeni) Torres Jr., the late Jessica Capetillo, Angela (Henry) Reyna, Monica (Eduardo) Benitez, Julianna Capetillo, Manuel Fajardo Jr., Alexzandria Martinez, JoAna (Travis) Capelle, Gabriel (Tara) Martinez, the late Hannah Victoria Martinez, and Jacob Martinez. Great-Grandmother of Joshua John Mendoza, Noah Jeremiah Martinez, Israel Elias Benitez, Carter David Torres, Abigail Demaris Benitez, Gabriel Victor Fajardo, Anna Marie Capelle, Hannah Marie Martinez, DaniRose Capelle, and Mia Grace Martinez. Dear sister of Lucy (Louie) Martinez, Enrique Munguia Jr, Teresa Ratke, and Elvira (Rudy) Robles. Further survived by other relatives and friends.

Visitation Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at the Niemann Suminski Funeral Home 2486 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53207 from 4:00 PM until time of the Funeral Service at 6:00 PM.

Private interment at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, WI