Maria Levario

Maria Irene Sotelo Levario, of Odessa, was called to her Heavenly home during the hour of Divine Mercy on Friday, March 20, 2020. She was surrounded by her family and her devoted husband who never left her side. We rejoice in knowing that she is at home with our Savior Jesus Christ whom she served wholeheartedly for 73 years.

Maria was born on May 26, 1946 in Presidio, Texas to Francisco Sotelo and Maria Cruz Valenzuela Cataño. She married the love of her life, Alfredo Gomez Levario, on January 26, 1964. In their 56 years of marriage, they were blessed with 7 children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well asmany more that she adopted in her heart. She was the heart and rock of our family, our mother, friend, and spiritual mentor. Her home was always filled with love, joy, laughter, music, and home cooked meals. She loved baking and made a banana nut bread to rival all others. Maria was the life of the party. She had a laugh that could fill a room, she enjoyed singing (although she sang beautifully off key) and rocked the dance floor to all music with expertise in dancing the twist with her husband, always perfectly in sync. She loved animals, especially her dog Goliath aka “Brother” who she held close to her heart.

As a devout Catholic, Maria was a member of the Legion of Mary. She regularly attended mass at St. Anthony’s. She had a servant heart and was always willing to help anyone in need, whether through prayer, advice, or service. She strongly believed in the power of prayer and she prayed the Rosary daily. When she became ill, her family picked up that cross and continued her daily prayer to The Virgin Mary, on her behalf.

She is survived by her husband, Alfredo Gomez Levario, Children: Marie Christina Vasquez and husband, Benjamin, Grace Levario, Amy Carrasco and husband, Roy, Nancy Landry and husband, Chris, Fred Levario and partner Erica Simmons, Jeremiah Levario and wife, Danielle, and “the only child” Fredda Levario, 18 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Siblings include Guadalupe Sotelo, Francisco Paco Sotelo and wife, Maria Elena, Herman Sotelo, and wife, Teresa, Cecilia Rodriguez and husband, George, Juan Cataño, Jr. and wife, Sandra, Mercedes Sotelo, Sylvia Sotelo, Francisco Sotelo, and Elva Sotelo.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco Sotelo, Maria Cruz Valenzuela Cataño and stepfather Juan Cataño, her children: Alfredo Gomez Levario, Jr. and Anjelica Levario, great-granddaughter Ashton Grey Burkell, siblings: Samuel Sotelo, Ruben Cataño, and Fernanda Sotelo.

A private church service & rosary will be held for immediate family members only, due to the current health pandemic.

Family and friends are welcome to join the immediate family at the graveside service to be held on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 10:45AM at Ector County Cemetery in Odessa Garden II under the care of Martinez Funeral Home. We ask that all those who attend the graveside service to observe the 6-foot social distancing rule put in effect by the State of Texas.

Pallbearers include Freddie Cuellar, Phillip Galindo, Christopher Daniel Galindo, Brandon Carrasco, Alejandro Tarango, John Paul Valencia, Braeden Levario, and Juan Cataño, Jr.

We would like to thank all those who supported the family with their continued prayers, love, and generosity during this time and during the time that Maria was ill. We would like to extend a special thanks to her Goddaughter, Samantha Sotelo, for the unconditional love she showered our mother with.

At a later date, we will be conducting a celebration of life for all of our extended family and friends to attend. The decision was not made lightly but is necessary because the state ordinance issued by the State of Texas for the current health pandemic.