Mary Elizabeth Occhiuzzo

Mary Renegar Occhiuzzo, 66, was surrounded by her family as she was called Home on Sunday, September 15, 2013 after a valiant, seven-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Anthony Occhiuzzo, children Anthony Easterling (Lisa), Chris Renegar, Lisa Renegar, Bonnie Renegar Ballinger (Steve), grandchildren Jordan and Jared Easterling, Annalise Ballinger, and Baby Boy Ballinger arriving in January 2014. Her brothers Benny Vanecek (Machelle), Michael Vanecek (Jo Beth), Thomas Vanecek (Maria), and friend John P. Renegar as well as numerous nieces and nephews will also treasure her memory. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Benjamin and Martha Vanecek. Mrs. Occhiuzzo taught pre-school for many years at St. Marks Mother’s Day Out program. She was a gifted teacher and often said that she considered “Miss Mary” to be the best part of her. Though she hadn’t taught in many years, Mrs. Occhiuzzo’s teaching instincts never left her. When her granddaughter Annalise came into the world just over two years ago, Miss Mary was reborn and an undeniable bond was formed between the two. “Adah” (as Annalise named her) taught her granddaughter many lessons that will never be forgotten. Mrs. Occhiuzzo’s world centered around her home and family. She enjoyed a quiet day-to-day life surrounded by her devoted husband, children, granddaughter, and four Maltese dogs. She had a special place in her heart for her Scooter, who, in particular, made her passionate about the Maltese Rescue effort. In spite of her physical struggles, Mrs. Occhiuzzo never lost her strength, grace, or generosity, and those who were blessed to meet her will never forget her. From a fellow cancer patient to her lifelong friends, everyone whom she encountered always felt important in her presence. She was a lover of people and treasured their stories. Innumerable lives have been touched by her. The family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to those many people who contributed to Mrs. Occhiuzzo’s care over the years. To Dr. Ragene Rivera – your exceptional treatment enabled us to share additional, precious time and we are eternally grateful. We also wish to express our appreciation to the infusion nurses and staff at Texas Oncology on Grandview, the fourth-floor oncology nurses and staff at Sierra Hospital, and Connie Banuelos, her caretaker and friend. Words alone cannot express our profound respect and deep admiration for Anthony Occhiuzzo, our mother's husband, companion, partner, and primary caregiver, whom she loved dearly. He honored his wedding vows selflessly every day of their marriage, through more sickness than health, loving her always the way she deserved to be loved. We are eternally grateful to him for giving her such wonderful care and happiness up until her last day on earth. At Mrs. Occhiuzzo’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home at 480 N. Resler, El Paso, Texas. Visitation to be held from 5-9 p.m. on Thursday, September 19, 2013 with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral mass to be held on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 9025 Diana, El Paso, Texas. Interment to follow at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Memorial Pines Cemetery, 3061 Memorial Pines Ln., Sunland Park, New Mexico. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net