Mary Helen Villegas Tovar of Austin, Texas was called by her heavenly Father on December 9, 2022, at age 69.

Mary is preceded in death by her son, Salvador Tovar, Teodoro "flaco" Ruiz Jr; parents - Frank and Vera Villegas; sisters - Dorothy Villegas, Gloria Gomez; brothers - Bobby Villegas, Frank Villegas Jr.

Mary is survived by her husband of 43 years Joel Tovar Sr; daughters - Tina Tovar, Felicia (Pedro) Garcia Dolores (John) Alcantar Jr; sons - Joel (Lupe) Tovar Jr, John (Janell) Tovar, Richard (Shana) Ruiz; brothers - Gary Villegas, Roy (Linda) Villegas, Rudy (Mary) Villegas, Andy Villegas; sisters - Yolanda Villegas, Lupe Morales, Joyce (Esteven) Zuniga; grandchildren - Ashley, Hayley, Bobby, Amelia, Joel "T", Miriah, Gabby, Pablo, Julian, Mia, Celeste, John"boy", Joe, Ray, Ayanna (Mi Guera), Diana, Mary, Rosa, Pedro Jr, Christian, Marcus, Lisa, Jessica; great grandchildren - Alia, Jayden, Malani, Isaac, Isabella and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers: John Tovar, John Edward Tovar Jr, Joel Tovar Jr, Joel Tovar III, Bobby Tovar, Richard Ruiz.

Mary was born in Denver, Colorado on May 20, 1953. Years later her and the family moved to Austin Texas. She married Joel Tovar on June 13, 1979, and together raised 8 children. Mary was a housewife who was always taking care of someone or something and she always put the needs of others before her own. She loved her movies; The Waltons, Gun Smoke, little house on the prairie, John Wayne, Bonanza and many more. She also loved going to the San Jose Jamaica for the "cake walks" and the music. She loved her Texas Longhorns and her McDonald's coffee, and she always had a secret stash of Sweets somewhere in her room! Mary also Loved to cook for the whole family, her food will surely be missed, but Most importantly She will be Greatly missed by her family.

I know the LORD is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.

My body rests in safety.

For You will not leave my soul among the dead

or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.

You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of Your presence

and the pleasures of living with You forever.

Psalm 16:8-11