Marina Moreno

July 18, 1921 - May 26, 2016

Marina Costilla Moreno, 94, of Groves, Texas passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Summer Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Beaumont.

She was born on July 18, 1921 to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Costilla, Sr. in Beaumont, Texas. Marina was raised in Beaumont and has been a resident of Groves for most of her life. She attended Ogden Elementary School and Beaumont High School in Beaumont and after graduation thought about being a nurse until she met her husband at a CCC dance. During WWII she got married and her husband was shipped to Europe when their first child was born. It was 2 years before her husband was able to return to see their first child. Marina served as a camp fire girl’s leader and assistant leader. She dedicated her entire life to serving God through family, church and community. She began her church volunteer when she was an active member of Immaculate Conception Parish, Groves, where her children attended Immaculate Conception School and then continued being active when St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Groves was formed. She served as the first President of St. Peter’s Altar Society, and served on the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women for the Beaumont Diocese. Her volunteer work included sewing stuff animals for the Immaculate Conception bazaars, and for St. Peter’s bazaar she worked the cake booth and even started a cake decorating contest. Marina loved to sew, cook, collect recipes and decorate cakes. She bought her first decorating kit at a Woolworth’s store after watching a live sales demonstration. She was hooked on decorating and would make cakes for her brothers and sisters. She was devoted to her children and husband and every year would make each one their own special birthday cake. She is well-known in the community for the creative and delicious cakes she made throughout the years for all types of celebrations, especially her wedding cakes. She had a special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Divine Mercy. She loved to read her daily prayers and would mention each family member or friend by name in her prayers. Marina served others selflessly throughout her life and will be missed dearly by family member and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Maria B. Lewis, Lt. Col. Fred Costilla, Jr., Raymond Costilla, Benjamin Costilla and Miguel Costilla, her loving husband, Victor C. Moreno, Sr., her children, Theresa Marie Moreno and Victor C. Moreno, Jr..

She is survived by her two daughters, Theresa J. Lomonte and husband, Joe of Fannett, Patricia Moreno of Groves, her son, Arthur Moreno of Groves, her grandchildren, Jacob Lomonte of Fannett, Sarah Knight (Patrick) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Connie Austin of Algonquin, Illinois, Victor Eugene Moreno and Joe C. Moreno both of Chicago, Illinois, Her great grandchildren, Brooke Huffman (Kyle) and Brandy Wright (Brandon) both of Algonquin, Illinois, Connie Lauren Moreno, Victor Corbin Moreno and Kaylee Jo Moreno all of Plainview, Texas, Logan Moreno, Layleh Moreno and Lucas Moreno all of Chicago, Illinois, Phoenix James Moreno and Michael Hildreth both of Illinois, her great-great grandchildren, Presley Ann Moreno and Hannah Huffman.

She is also survived by her two sisters, Lucy Rhodes of Tampa, Florida, Rosemary Costilla of San Antonio, Texas, her brother, Hector Costilla, Sr. of Beaumont along with numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation for the family and friends will be on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary to be prayed at 6:00 PM followed by a wake service at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Marina’s life will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Thursday, June 2, 2016 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Groves with Rev. J. C. Coon serving as celebrant. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens in Nederland under the direction of Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors.

The family would like to give special thanks to Gentiva Hospice of Beaumont for all their help and support.