Mary Gerodetti

Mary Edith Gerodetti

September 8th,1927 - March 31st, 2022

Beloved wife and mother

Mary Edith was born to Christine and Arthur Johnson in San Antonio, Texas - the first of their four children. Her childhood was in no small part spent helping with the family bakery business and the care of her younger siblings. She met the love of her life, Atillio Gerodetti, in high school and their marriage bound them together for over six decades. They were blessed with four daughters - Johanna, Mary Helen, Nancy, and Juliana. Mary Edith was devoted to her children, their spouses, and later her grandchildren. No sacrifice ever seemed too great for her. She loved and guided us throughout her life sharing each joy, accomplishment, and sorrow. Most importantly she taught us to pursue and cherish our own dreams, to embrace life and all it's beauties. At the most tragic moment in our family's life - the untimely death of her beloved daughter and our sister Nancy - she was our anchor.  She guided us through a storm of grief and ultimately brought us safely to a place of peace.

Despite great sorrow, Mary Edith remained exuberant about life. She adored all things artistic with her greatest love being the opera. We have wonderful memories of her packed suitcases and beautiful clothes as she flew from coast to coast or took the bus to Houston to experience yet another operatic performance. When she wasn't attending an opera, she devoted much effort to the Tuesday Music Club in San Antonio. We will never forget her yearly dance recitals replete with amazing costumes. We affectionately nicknamed her troupe "the Dancing Divas" and never failed to be entertained by their efforts. But do not assume that Mary Edith was always a whirlwind of activity. She equally loved the peace and quiet of South Texas with our father. She shared his passion for that remote spot and we all have fond memories of the two of them hiking on their ranch near Reagan Wells and hunting at the Donnell ranch.

People were drawn to Mary Edith her entire life. Her cadre of friends seemed truly endless to us. In her final years as she was cared for first by Julie and then by Johanna, she continued to endear herself to all around her. She managed to gather a most loving group of caretakers in Elgin to help her on the final leg of her life's journey. In the end, it was the simple things that brought her the most peace and happiness - a beautiful sunset, the first flowers of spring and the return of the hummingbirds, geese and ducks swimming on the pond, chickens clucking in the yard, purring cats and protective dogs, gentle hands, long hugs, and sweet kisses. She will always be a beacon of love for each of us as we continue on our own journeys through life - ever guiding and protecting for she can never truly leave us while she lives in our hearts. We pray for gentler times and the healing of our sorrow. May Mary Edith now rest in peace.

A Christian Mass will be conducted at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manor, Wednesday, April 6th at 10:00 AM with Father Henry, presiding.  The Christian Burial will be on Thursday, April 7th at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas at 2:00 PM.