Susan Venegas

Susan Mares Venegas, 70, of Baytown, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020, in Baytown.

Susan was born December 4, 1949 in Pasadena, Texas, to parents; Enrique “Henry” and Elizabeth Verastigue Mares.  She was a resident of Pasadena until she married her lifelong love and became a resident of the Baytown area. 

She was a graduate of Pasadena High School.  Susan, with her husband, entered the four-year Permanent Diaconal Studies of the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Upon completion, she received a Pastoral Recognition Certification from Bishop Joseph Morkowski. This award is equivalent to a Bachelor of Divinity and Theological Studies from the Catholic University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas

Susan was a retired teacher’s assistant for the Galveston-Houston Catholic Diocese for many years and Goose Creek Consolidated ISD.  She was a devoted member of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph Catholic Churches. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter:  Annette Michelle Venegas.  She is survived by her husband of 53 years:  Rodolfo “Rudy” Venegas, daughters:  Renee’ Venegas Parrott and husband Damon, Maureen Venegas Cox, and Ruth Naomi Venegas, brothers:  Henry Mares and wife Francis, Victor Mares and wife Diane, Mark Mares and wife Martha, and Carlos Mares, sisters:  Angie Lopez and husband Guadalupe and Yolanda Bernal and husband Matthew, grandchildren:  Renaldo Negron, Rudolfo Negron, Reuel Negron, Gabriel Cox, Rachel Cox, Marisa Cox, and Vincent Venegas, three great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Susan had a radiant personality and enjoyed socializing with family and friends. Her family was the center of her life and she always planned seasonal activities by creating crafts, baking her famous pumpkin bread, and decorating the home.  She planned all birthdays with gifts and the favorite homemade meal of the special birthday person.  At Christmas, she would have a traditional celebration and invite all her extended family over for feasting on her famous menudo and barbacoa.

She especially enjoyed sewing projects.  She made numerous costumes, clothing, and alterations for her friends and family.  During the pandemic, she made over 700 masks, most which she donated to individuals.

During the arrival of Spring, she enjoyed planting and tending to her garden of many varieties of flowers and plants.

Susan also had a talent for refurbishing and painting statues and antiques.  She had a love for finding antique furniture and restoring them to beauty with her sanding talent and painting.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with Deacon George Rincon officiating a rosary/vigil service at 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home Chapel.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with interment following at Memory Gardens in Baytown.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan Venegas, please visit our floral store.