Mary Louise Abeyta

Mary was born in Marshall, Missouri the daughter of Bertha Mae Tribisch-Gress and Kenneth Gress. The family moved to Vallejo, California in 1936. She attended Curry and Steffan Manor Elementary Schools and Franklin Junior High, enrolled in school as Mary Fontaine. She graduated from Vallejo High School in 1951. Mary married the love of her life, Vidal Abeyta in 1953, and they had six children: Teresa, Diane, Carol, Marilyn, and twin sons Steven and John. Vidal preceded her in death in 1975. Mary worked at Benicia Arsenal, Tide Water Oil Company in San Francisco, and Solano County Health and Welfare in Vallejo. Mary loved spending time with her six children, ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Grandchildren: Angela Sanchez Cherrington, Andrew Sanchez, David, Vincent and Patricia Castro, John and Michael Abeyta, Marshall DuVal, Madeline Robison Moscone and Harper Abeyta. Great grandchildren: Jayden and Makaela Abeyta, Lily Castro, Layla, Presley and Audrey Sanchez, Clara, Katelyn, and Nathan Castro. Her family was the joy of her life, and she was proud of them. She always said she had a blessed life. She is survived by a dear sister-in-law Judy Gress, her loving Abeyta family, Cecilia Abeyta-Canapa, Leo Abeyta, son-in-law Bill Winschell, daughters-in-law Sandra Abeyta and Valerie Abeyta, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Vidal Abeyta, brothers Gerald Gress, Joe Fontaine, Larry Dauenhauer, her sister Phyllis Gress, and many of the Abeyta family. Mary enjoyed reading, walking, working in her garden, listening to jazz and blues, going out to lunch and dinner and traveling. Dancing was a lifelong activity she enjoyed. Even in recent years, she delighted in boogying with her daughter Teresa at Cogir’s Friday afternoon happy hours. Most of all, Mary loved being with her family. She twice visited France and Germany and also traveled in Amsterdam Belgium, Italy and the Czech Republic. Her memorial service will be held April 9, 11a.m. at Twin Chapels, Vallejo, with subsequent internment at All Souls Cemetery. A reception will follow graveside services at the Benicia Veterans Hall, 1150 First St. Benicia, California. To help the family plan accordingly, please confirm if you will attend by leaving a message at 559-740-8017 by April 1. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Vallejo Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Mary Louise Abeyta

August 20, 1933 - March 14, 2025