Maria de la Luz "Mary" Langiewicz

Maria de la Luz (Mary) (Oviedo) Langiewicz was born on October 28, 1934 in Los Angeles, CA. Her parents, José Marcelo Oviedo and Celia Francisca (Manriquez) Oviedo, named her Maria de la Luz Oviedo, after Joe's sister, but to everyone she was Mary. Mary had 3 siblings; JoeJoe-the eldest, Esther-third born (fondly known as Tootsie), and Dolores-the youngest, whom we called Lolie. Mary attended St. Agnes High School in Los Angeles and was both a basketball player and a cheerleader. Mary met her future husband, William Langiewicz, at St. Agnes. The story is told that while at a beach party Mary playfully kicked Bill's foot and asked him to go for a walk. They have walked together since that day. Mary and Bill married on April 12, 1955 and were blessed to have three children; JoAnn, Gerald, and James. During the early years, Mary stayed busy taking care of Dad, the kids, and the house, but she found time to do other things as well. Mary joined a morning bowling league with her sister-in-law Edna, and with Edna sewed dresses and clothing for the family. Mary also started and managed the Snack Shack for the local girls' softball league, bowled on Friday nights with Bill, and was a volunteer for the Elementary, Jr. High, and High School bands that Gerald and Jim played in. Mary also had a love of everything Disney. She decorated one room in the house with oodles of Disney memorabilia, which she affectionately called Mickey's Room. One by one the kids got married, and Mary was blessed with one son-in-law, Jeff, and 2 daughter-in-laws, Melanie and Jan. (Jim is now married to Dawn and living in England.) The kids then gave Mary 7 grandchildren; Cathi, Jason, Chrissi, Jamie, Daniel, Sean, and Brett. Mary loved the grandchildren very much, spoiling them with MORE than they needed. One by one some of the grandchildren started getting married. Mary was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren whom they affectionately called Great-Nana. Mary had a gift of sharing her positive message with the many people she met as she travelled through the stages of life. She comforted those who needed comfort, praised those who deserved kudos, helped those who asked for help (or maybe didn't ask), laughed with folks, and had a profoundly positive effect on many many people. Her can-do attitude, faith, positivity, humor, and compassion were woven into the very fabric of Mary. Mary used to say, "I'm never going to grow up," and her child-like faith in life was the emanation of that belief. After Bill's death in 2019, Mary never gave up the hope of being with him again. Her faith kept her strong, and her love kept her confident. They are both FOREVER LOVED.