Mary Pando

is honored with a Brick from Marcus Ballenger

Maria (Mary) Elena Reyes Pando was born November 21, 1939 in Santa Maria, Texas to Alfredo and Beatrice Reyes.  She married Ben F. Garcia and five girls, Helen Faber, Veronica Alcorn, Vicky Garcia, Becky Yeiter and Angela Ballenger were born.   On June 10,1977 Mary married Octavio Jose Pando and a daughter, Lara Pando was born.  In 2010, Mary retired from the Robert J. Dole veterans Hospital after a career in nursing.  It was my pleasure to meet Mary after her daughter, Angela married my son.  Mary is one of the kindest and a most caring person you would ever want to meet.  She is a heroine to both her immediate and extended family and most deserving of membership in the Plaza of Heroines.  Dr. Marcus Taylor Ballenger, Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction, Associate Dean Emeritus of the College of Education, Wichita State University

I remember when mom was a young mother raising five young girls literally alone.  I remember seeing her cry when she could see we were hungry waiting for that check to come in so she could walk to the store and buy groceries.  I remember her being by our side when we were sick and not leaving until we were well again.  I remember her making sure we were well dressed and had good shoes for school.  To this day, I still don't know how she managed that.  I remember her turning down invitations to holiday parties so she could stay home and pop popcorn for us girls.  Mom, you taught us to be strong and self-sufficient and you were there when one of us would stumble and you would set us straight again.  I LOVE YOU MOM!  You will always be my heroine!  Helen Faber 

This memory goes along with the season.  When we were small mom would get the Sears catalog out and tell us to pick three things we really wanted.  We would all go through this thick book over and over.  At last our three finalists would be ready for submission.  On Christmas morning that would be the last gift she would let us open.  And it never failed, at least for me, to always be something I wanted. We did not have much growing up, yet mom made our Christmas very special.  I Love you Mom!  Veronica Alcorn 

Mom, if I were to pick a person in my life that would be the perfect definition of a heroine, I would pick you.  To be able to put yourself through school and raise five girls all by yourself is no easy task, but you did just that.  Thinking back now, I realize we didn't have a lot, but as a child growing up I never felt that, because I saw how hard you worked to keep a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs, and how you made every birthday and Christmas so very special for each and every one of us.  Thank you for being such a great role model for me, and thank you for helping me to become the woman I am today.  I love you so very much.  Vicky Garcia 

My mother, the most beautiful, courageous, smartest woman I know.  To know her is to never forget her, she simply touches everyone around her in the most positive way.   I love you Mom, you are the greatest.  Becky Yeiter 

I remember when I was a young girl and staying up late with mom watching old movies.   Sometimes she would let me have hot chocolate and cookies when the other girls were sleeping.  To this day, when I see one of those old movies on TV, I think of that special time we shared together.  My mom overcame many obstacles in her life, and with her life lessons, she taught her daughters to love, live and always be proud of who you are.  My mom is my friend and my heroine.  I love you Mom.  Angela Ballenger 

Two words to describe you, my rock.  Since I was able to hold a memory, I knew I was lucky to have you as my mother.  All the times I begged for McDonalds you gave in, all my temper tantrums you tolerated (I know that wasn't easy for you).  I love you every day I wake up with every breath of my body.  You were so kind to bring me into this world and instill values in me that I will carry on to my children or as dad would refer to as (little animals).  Even though as I went through my trials and tribulations growing up, I know I caused you more grief than relief.  You never stopped loving me even though I could see your disappointment; I want to thank you for not giving up on me.  You don't know how much that means to me to have a mother like you.  I hope when the time comes to raise my family, I will be as strong, stern, loving and caring as you are and always will be.   It takes a strong woman to raise 5 girls all by yourself and then raise one more (little animal).  I've learned so much from you and I'm still learning from you each day, I hope to have your wisdom as I get older.  Mom what can I say, you are the greatest and I thank my lucky stars and the big guy in the sky to have you in my life and I dread to think about the world without you.  I love you Mom.  Lara Pando