My sister Mary SantaMaria

My eight brothers and sisters and I went to Lamar, a state high school in Houston, Texas. We are going to be honoured by the Alumni Association at a luncheon 21st April as the family with the most graduates, nine of us.

We have a tenth family member, our sister Mary, who has special learning needs. She cannot talk, although she is a great communicator. I have created this biography of my sister Mary so that she is included in the group. Of course, she couldn't attend Lamar, and she has been fortunate to live and work in a world class center, Houston’s Cullen Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation. Here is Mary's biography, and I'm sure you will realise what a special person she is and her contribution:

Mary, the fifth of the ‘SantaMaria Ten’ is a founder resident of Houston’s Cullen Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation, now based near the Allen Parkway and Kirby Drive. Aline and Foley SantaMaria were founder members of the Cullen Center since its beginning days in the 50s in a large house in Houston’s Montrose District. They realized, like many parents with children with special needs, that Houston needed a center of excellence, promoting independent living and skills development for people with mental and physical challenges.

As an integral member of the ‘SantaMaria Ten’, Mary has always been able to hold her own, and she benefitted from her brothers and sisters looking after her, especially when she was exposed to bullying by those who did not realize her special gifts. We would ‘swarm’ anyone attempting to tease Mary, and that person would soon realize the error of their ways. There was also a time at an Easter egg hunt where we all clubbed together to put all our eggs in Mary’s basket, the competition judges a bit bewildered at how any one person could have so many eggs.

Mary went to a succession of schools with special needs facilities, including one run by nuns in Louisiana where she helped to look after children with severe disabilities. Aline and Foley worked with the Cullen Center through its phases of growth until it secured the site near Allen Parkway, many times recognised as a world class center of excellence. The ‘SantaMaria Ten’, relatives , friends and the wider Houston community that appreciate the Center’s services ‘swarmed’ the City of Houston when it mistakenly attempted to sell the Center’s land to property developers. The City and The Center came to an amicable settlement, with the well-being and security of the residents restored.

Mary has been a star ‘Cullen Caner’ for the last 20 years, performing intricate and skilled work caning chairs and making a contribution to the many customers of the Caning Center who now sit comfortably. She has a great group of 11 work colleagues, assisted by their long-time supervisor, Lonnie …., and volunteers who work alongside the caners. Cullen Caners: www.cri-usa.org/en/cms/42/

The Cullen Center recognised Aline and Foley’s many contributions and support to the Cullen Center by dedicating the Aline and Foley SantaMaria Rose Garden which unfortunately got destroyed in the 2008 hurricane. Several vans to transport residents to Center activities proudly bore the SantaMaria name in appreciation.

Mary enjoys her free time by taking part in the Center’s many activities, going to camp, getting encouragement from Donielle and the Center’s staff and visiting weekly with her brother and sister-in-law Phil and Carolyn and going to her many sisters and brothers during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and summer vacations. Mary is a popular personality, enjoying her ‘show and tell’ moments with the photos from her achievements and excursions. She has been featured in Houston media for her accomplishments as a Cullen Caner and as an enthusiastic community member.