Mary Catherine Reiter Black, 1926-2015, 88, of Deer Park, TX, passed away August 4, 2015. Mary C. was born in Muenster, Texas on September 24, 1926, but moved to Kerrville, Texas as a young child. She graduated from Kerrville Tivy High School in 1943, attended Schreiner Institute and then received a degree in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin in 1947. Her marriage to William E. (Bill) Black on August 27, 1948 continued until his death in 2005. Mary C. was deeply involved in her family, Church and community. First and foremost she was a devoted mother to five children and her husband. She showed her love in many ways, from being a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader to supporting her husband who owned and operated the local Western Auto store from 1959 to 1983. She also participated in numerous community affairs alongside her husband Bill who was both Councilman and Mayor of Deer Park. She was a founding member of St. Hyacinth parish and was active through teaching CCD classes, choir, Ladies Guild, Altar and Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters. Special to her heart was the Adoration Chapel which she helped form and continued with to her last days. Her community involvement was extensive and heartfelt. She managed the City of Deer Park Federal Credit Union from its founding in 1964 for 37 years where she found great fulfillment in interacting with employees of the City who became part of her extended family. For over a decade in her later years she became a bi-weekly volunteer at the Deer Park Food Pantry until her passing Mary C. Black will be fondly remembered in everything she did as always being there for anyone who needed help, never closing her heart to anyone. She epitomized an era where personal connections and relationships were central to her life. While others lives are described by their travels, their possessions and other worldly matters, the most consistent remembrance of Mary C. was that she was a truly compassionate person. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents Charles and Katherine Reiter, brothers Charles Jr., Roderick and Giles. She is survived by children William and Deborah Black, Thomas and Susan Black, Robert and Gena Black, Mary and Kent Baxley, and David Black and Kevin Watson; 9 grandchildren; 1 step-great grandson; brother Albert and Kathy Reiter and Marilyn Cocke, Richard and Mary Alice Black. Visitation will be held at Grand View Funeral Home on Friday, August 7, 2015 from 5:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. with a rosary at 6:00 P.M. Funeral Services will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park, with interment following after at Grand View Memorial Park. In lieu of Flowers donations can be made to Deer Park Food Bank payable to Interfaith Helping Hands at 902 Patricia, Deer Park, TX 77536.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Aug. 7, 2015