Maria Cruz Carrington, 82, of Galveston, passed away Monday, October 19, 2009, at UTMB Hospital.

Maria’s family will receive visitors at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 23, 2009, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home.  A memorial service will be held at 7:00 pm.

Maria was born May 3, 1927, in Monte Morelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.  She was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother.  Maria was full of life – she loved to laugh, had friends too numerous to count, appreciated the little things in life, and never let anything get her down.  She was an avid Bingo player and was famous for her homemade tamales, which she made each year at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Maria also enjoyed music, spending time with her grandchildren, and most of all, could always be counted on to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Maria was preceded in death by her first husband, William Carrington; second husband, Nieves Nava; parents, Arcadio and Andrea Gauna; brothers, Fernando, Antonio, and Gabriel Gauna; and sister, Maria Gauna.

She is survived by her daughter, Guillermina Carrington; son, William Carrington; grandchildren, Erika and Nelson Reyes; sister, Anselma Pedraza; brothers, Tomas and Jesus Gauna; grandchildren at heart, Angela and Cristal Alonzo and Ciera De Los Santos; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Maria’s family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of UTMB ER & SICU that cared for Maria, as well as the medical students that provided CPR.

If you wish to help defray the cost of Maria’s funeral services, donations may be made to Malloy & Son Funeral Home, 3028 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550.