Mary Louise Wildenstein Abreu

Mary Louise (Maria Luisa) Wildenstein Abreu (83) passed into the arms of the Lord on Monday, March 5, 2018 surrounded by members of her loving family. She was born June 7, 1934 to Charles "Charlie" Wildenstein and Juanita "Jane" Ortega in Las Vegas, NM, the oldest of four children. She was preceded to the Lord by her parents; husband, Ernie; nephew, Kelly; aunt, Antonia "Toni" Ortega Sedillo; maternal grandparents, Victoriano Ortega and Valeria Gonzales; paternal grandparents, Ymeteria Yara and Rudolpho Wildenstein; brother, Cipriano "Nano" Wildenstein; and sister-inlaw, Joan Berged Abreu. She is survived by brother, Rudy (Irene) of Santa Fe and children Kevin and Debbie; sister, Frances Neatherlin (John) of Carlsbad, NM and children Frances Lyn and Sheila; and brother-in-law, Leland Abreu of Taos and children Ed, Art, Celina, Katrina, and Nina. She is also survived by her children, Jim Abreu (Pam) and children Adrian and Erin of Las Vegas, NM; Ernest Charles "Bobo" Abreu of Las Vegas and children Beau and Patricia; Bob Abreu (Sylvia) of Rio Rancho and children Allen and Adam and Bob’s daughter Carollee; Don Abreu (Ida) of Las Vegas and children Donna, Louana, Dana, and DJ; John Abreu of Las Vegas and children Andrea and Nicole; Rick Abreu (Denise) of Las Vegas and children Ryan, Melissa, Justin, Nathan, and Dalan; Loretta Abreu of Las Vegas and her daughters Stephanie and Michelle; Michael Abreu (Michelle) of Alexandria, VA; over 20 grandchildren; over 20 greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and extended family members. Mary Louise grew up on Valley Street in Las Vegas and attended South Public Elementary School and later West Las Vegas High School after it opened in 1947 and allowed girls to enroll in 1948. She played in the school band and was a cheerleader for the WLV Dons and was in many school organizations. While she did not finish high school then due to starting an early family with Ernie, she later proudly earned her GED. A spirited and strongwilled Mary Louise worked in the Jayval & Navajo Textiles Parachute Factory in the early 1950s, contributing to the Korean War effort, even while raising the first few of her eight children. A devout Catholic her whole life, she served as Head of the St. Vincent de Paul Society helping with the needs of community members by paying utility bills, buying food, purchasing clothing, procuring wood, and donating cash out of her own pocket. She helped start the Altar Society at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las Vegas under the direction of Father DeFazio. While playing cards with friends, she convinced them to donate funds to defray costs for families dealing with medical bills. She also collected money for people needing special shoes and she helped train Altar Servers. Mary Louise donated her unused furniture to those in need, supported the Wounded Warrior Project, and contributed to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital as well as many other worthy causes. As an active member of the Catholic Daughters, she helped run the Parish Hall for many community events. She also worked at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church for many years and was responsible for vestments, altar cloths, readying the Church for holy ceremonies, food services, and many other essential and sacred tasks. She kept her faith devoutly, prayed every day and kept a watchful and loving eye on her children, grandchildren and all members of her family. She set a beautiful example with her strength, commitment and generosity. Her Holy Rosary and Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las Vegas, NM. Her ashes will be interred at the Abreu Family Cemetery next to her husband, Ernie, in Rayado, NM (near Cimarron) at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Fund in Las Vegas, NM. Rogers Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements.