Mary Teresa Rinaldi

Mary Teresa (DeJonghe) Rinaldi was born August 4, 1943, in Salt Lake City, UT to Nina and Garvin DeJonghe. As an Air Force family, they were stationed in various places before settling in Tucson, AZ. She graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, AZ, and entered the convent of St Joseph of Carondelet while studying at Mount St Mary’s College in Los Angeles. She later decided to pursue nursing school at the Shreveport Trade School, in Louisiana, receiving certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was recruited into the Women’s Army Corps stationed at Valley Forge General Hospital in Pennsylvania, where she met her husband, Francis Rinaldi. They were married at Valley Forge Hospital Chapel on September 7, 1968. As an Army wife, she raised three children Francis, Katherine, and Ann and also balanced earning her associate in applied science degree in Early Childhood Development at Central Texas College. Following military retirement, the family moved to Portland, Texas where she started her own in-home childcare business. Her home was always full of children, fun activities, and love. She later worked as a teacher’s aide with special needs children at Portland Intermediate School. 

She was very active in her church community teaching CCD at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima. Mary was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. 

After a courageous 13 year battle with cancer, Mary was called home to Christ on February 26, 2024 and welcomed by her parents, baby daughter Joan, brother Terry DeJonghe, sister Nina DeJonghe, and sister Amy Acorn who preceded her in death. She is survived by husband Francis X. Rinaldi, son Francis X. Rinaldi II (Stephanie), daughters Kathy Rinaldi-Cobos and Ann Rinaldi. Grandchildren Kyle Rinaldi, Sarah Rinaldi, Michael Cobos, Alexander Soto, and Maddox Soto. Brothers Patrick DeJonghe, Tony DeJonghe, Peter DeJonghe, and Tim DeJonghe, and sister Janet Wright.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to San Patricio County Meals on Wheels or MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://cacost.org/programs/senior-nutrition-services/

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, March 4, 2024 at Winsteads’ Funeral Home in Portland, with the rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas. 

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com