BARRIOS, Mary

Mary G. Barrios, September 10, 1927 - May 2, 2009 Mary Barrios completed the Lord's work here on earth and is now with Jesus Christ Our Lord Savior. She left this world peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2009, leaving behind her devoted family and many friends and relatives who will miss her dearly. Mary was born to Jesus and Juana Gracia in Hereford, Arizona and grew up near Bisbee. She graduated from Bisbee High School in 1948, where she was a founding member of Club Iris, a group that supported the troops during World War II. She started working at a young age and worked hard throughout her life. Mary made Tucson her home after graduating. There she met the love of her life, Angel Barrios, and they married in 1954. In addition to raising her three sons, she worked as a housekeeper. In Tucson she embarked on a life of active involvement in the Catholic Church. She was the first female to become a Eucharistic Minister in Tucson. For many years Mary attended, and was very involved with, Holy Family Catholic Church. Many came to know her through the Holy Family Monday Night Prayer Group, of which she was one of the founders. Mary and her family have also been parishioners of Santa Rosa Mission. Mary served as a member of the Pima County Interfaith Council, and in this capacity, she contributed as an advisor and representative of the Catholic Diocese. She was a determined community activist, who stood by what she believed to be just and fair. Mary believed in the healing power of prayer, the laying of hands and was a strong member of the charismatic movement in Tucson. Mary had a great love of music, was an avid reader, and pursued a lifetime of self-education. It was a challenge in her life, and a source of frustration, when her vision began to fail, yet she never lost her great sense of humor and her fun-loving nature. Her motherly intuition was far greater than that of others. She was a loyal friend and compassionate prayer partner to many. She cared deeply about all of her relatives and was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Mary Barrios is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Angel Barrios; her devoted sons, Michael Barrios (Mary), Raymond Barrios (Jessie), and Mark Barrios; her cherished grandchildren, Crystal Barrios and Matthew Barrios; her brother, Fermine Gracia; Cynthia and Michael Steber; the many relatives in her extended family, and her wonderful church friends. Nana, we will miss you and always love you. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2009 from 1-5 p.m. at the CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY, SOUTH CHAPEL, 240 S. Stone Ave (622-7429). The Service will be Monday, May 11, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone Ave., followed by interment at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY, INC. --Arizona Daily Star (May 8, 2009)