Mary Ann Colin was born July 13, 1945, in Kingsville, Texas to Alex “Wimpy” Canales and Isabel Trevino Canales. She passed away with her family by her side on Saturday September 26, 2026.

Mary Ann was a beautiful, faithful, loving, and giving woman who devoted her life to her family, her faith, education, and the Kingsville community. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 59 years, Jose Tomas “Tom” Colin, and her grandson, Jon Tomas. Along with her husband, both of their families were founding families of Kingsville in 1904.

Mary Ann graduated from H.M. King High School in 1963 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1974, followed by her Master’s Degree in Education in 1977. She was just shy of completing her dissertation for her Doctorate in Education. Throughout her life, Mary Ann devoted herself to serving the Kingsville community in many capacities as a board member, officer, volunteer, and leader. She was a Cub Scout and Campfire Girls (Bluebirds) Troop Leader and was actively involved with the PTA. She served with the South Texas Youth Development Council and the Kleberg County Juvenile Board, judged DECA State Conferences, vocational organizations, and 4-H Shows, and served on multiple ESC Region 2 committees. She also dedicated many years to the Kingsville Little League Baseball Organization, where she and Tom, along with their family, could often be found at the baseball fields coaching, working the concession stands, and proudly cheering on their sons.

She was a lifelong Educator, beginning as a Teacher’s Aide and eventually retiring after 32 years as a high school principal. She earned the Secondary Principal of the Year for Region Two Award in 2001. She worked at various schools, but mostly at H.M. King High School as the Head of the Vocational Department and eventually retiring as the founding Principal of K.E.Y.S. Academy High School. She created and developed the school along with the KISD School Board’s support, and it opened in 1991. It became one of only two alternative high schools in the state of Texas to earn a Commended Rating. Her innovative thinking and drive to help our youth succeed helped hundreds of at-risk students graduate from high school and go on to college or trade schools. She personally authored dozens of grants earning more than one million dollars of funding for the school. She earned educational certificates in Mid-management, Vocational Administrator, Trade and Industry CVAE, and Professional Supervision.

She received the “Women Helping Women Award” from the Soroptimist International Club. She also received the Knights of Columbus #2623 12th annual Educator’s Appreciation Award and the Wall of Tolerance National Campaign Award.

She was Chair of the Kingsville Democratic Party from 2004-2009. She was part of The Woman’s Club of Kingsville, the Mr. and Mrs. Club, The Red Hat Society, Gardenia Club, and Caritas Dei of Kingsville Associates of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio, where she acted as the facilitator for many years. She was also a member of the Cursillos through the Catholic Church.

After her retirement, she spent much of her time Volunteering at different organizations. She was a proud CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg Volunteer for 22 years, and functioned as a Eucharistic Minister providing Spiritual Care to patients and staff for many years. She loved to help with Bingo and Loteria at the nursing homes. She had a love for crafts and sewing and was always working on a blanket or project. She had a sweet tooth and there was always a Diet Dr Pepper and Three Musketeers Bar nearby, and her red lipstick was never far away. She shared many recipes and family traditions with all the generations she helped raise.

She was a devoted Mother to Tommie Ann, Alex (Lee Ellen), Tom, Jeff (Annie), Marsha, and daughter-in-law Luisa. She was a Dedicated Grandmother to Laci (Albert), Christina (Patrick), Brandalyne (Ryne), Tomazina, Farrin (Christian), Matthew (Amanda), Robyn, Erik (Lia), Ashley, Ricky, Cassidy (Francisco), Christopher, Jeffrey Tomas 'JT', Cassandra, Sarah (David), Catherine 'CJ', Briana (Robert), RJ (Kaylee), Cameo (Garrett), Jose Tomas, Lola, Elizabeth, and Noah.

Our Family was very fortunate to have her as a Loving Great-Grandmother to Leah (Zack), Luke, Sabastian, Andrew, Ayla, Ethan, Lily, Chelsea, Emily, Noah, Aiden, Delton, Logan, Elijah, Talon, Bailey, Natalee, Ryalyne, Adalyne, Emberlyne, Zoey, Liam, Kennedy, Kataleya, EllieAna, Preston, Alexander, Ryder, Arya, Jennalee, Violet, Kyzer, Aliana, and Theodore.

We are very blessed to have welcomed a Fifth Generation into the Family, making Mary Ann a Great-Great Grandmother to Asher and Arden Ann.

She also leaves behind her Sisters-In-Law Mary Lou Rodriguez, Evangelina 'Calana' Arredondo, Rosario Sparck, Diana Colin, and Yolanda Colin, along with numerous nieces, nephews, Cousins, Friends, and Compadres. We thank Emma Ramos for being such a loving friend to her and the family. We also thank Maria Elena for the three dedicated years of service providing compassionate and loving care to her.

Mary Ann was a lifelong member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, where she received all of the Holy Sacraments, from Baptism through Marriage. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she faithfully served her church as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD Teacher, Lector, and member of the St. Martin’s Altar Society. Along with her beloved husband, Tom, she inspired generations of their family to love God, serve their communities, and remain devoted to their families.

One of her favorite scriptures was Jeremiah 29:11-14, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come to pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me. If you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord.”

The family will receive condolences from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary; with a holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Santa Gertrudis Memorial Cemetery, where Mary Ann will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Jose Tomas "Tom" Colin.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Matthew Gonzalez, Erik Gonzalez, Christopher Colin, JT Colin, RJ Garza, Jose Colin, Noah Colin, and Patrick Sendejo.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Kleberg, along with Dr. Robert Morales and Brandi Smith, NP, and Dr. Beato for their loving and compassionate care of “Grandma Colin,” over the past few years.