Maria Senatore

On August 24th,2024, Mrs. Maria N. Senatore was called by her Heavenly Father to abide in Glory with God Almighty and all her family and friends that abide in Jesus Christ. Maria was born on September 27, 1932, in San Angelo, Texas to her parents Mr. Guadalupe Mata and Mrs. Maria Mata de Saldaña. 

Maria met her husband Mr. Vincent M. Senatore from Newark, New Jersey and were married in July 23,1955. They welcomed two children, John Gerard Senatore and Maria G. Senatore. Maria Senatore had attended Angelo Commercial College studying accounting, but after marriage she became a full-time beloved Wife and Mother. Her favorite hobby was gardening and was one of the founders of The Western Hills Garden Club. She also volunteered her time as an Auxiliary Volunteer at St. John's Hospital Auxiliary. In the 1960’s-1970’s she devoted time with Meals for the Elderly and Adult Day Care. When her husband became ill with cancer, she began working at Wallace Laboratories as a photo lab re-toucher. She later invested in real estate for over twenty years. Maria then got her Nurse Aides Certification and was employed in assisting homebound, bedridden patients.  

Maria was a very devout Christian and enjoyed sharing the life-saving scriptures of Jesus Christ. She had been baptized at Primera Iglesia Bautista by the late Rev.  Dr. Fortunato Gonzales and years later became a longtime member of Harris Ave Baptist Church. She attended numerous Mission Trips serving as a translator, a children’s Bible teacher and also became certified as a Clown and served as “A Clown for Christ” and would implement the character in the children Bible activities.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, her two siblings, Mr. José Mata, Mrs. Francis Padilla and a very cherished Sister-in-law Mrs. Gloria Mata. Her son John Senatore, an endeared Son-in-law Dan Strickland and several dear nieces and nephews.  She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Maria S. Strickland and very endeared and only Grandchild whom she doted on and brought her Great Joy in her Life, Lauren M. Strickland. 

She is survived by a very Special Niece, whom she visited, took pictures, showed her garden pictures and videos, visited her often and brought her much joy, Mrs. Sylvia Flores. A dear childhood neighbor friend of our family, Mrs. Patti Tucker, my mother has loved her like a second daughter. Her beautiful blonde haired, blue-eyed daughter, who loved her flour tortillas and came to church with us. Patti Tucker has been family for over fifty years.

Maria is also survived by several special nieces and nephews from the Mata and Padilla Family. Some that has brought much love to her life are nieces Rosemary Mata, Mrs. Adriana Robledo, Claudia Mendez de Morales and nephew Mr. Lupe Mata. 

Date of paying last respects and signing of her book will be Friday, August 30, 2024 from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm at Gutierrez Funeral Chapels 1002 North Oakes St., San Angelo, Texas.

A Private Family Service will be at a later date with her nephew Rev. Lupe Mata officiating.

"I would like to recognize and extend a 'special thanks' to the medical staff at Central Texas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Ballinger, Texas.  We are grateful for all their genuine love, prompt and professional care for my mother.  They were so patient, kind and spent time knowing my mother.  She felt very loved by everyone there.  My mother, though, did have a special bond with nurse Heather.  Thanks also to Mrs. Kaila Blessings who assisted with registration and always extended genuine compassion and encouragement.  We are also appreciative of Hospice of Ballinger nurse Whitney's wonderful care and the rest of their staff"

Thanks - Maria S Strickland 

"...rather to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord."

II Corinthians 5:8

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