Mariana Olvera Cotto

Mariana Olvera Cotto, 85, passed away March 5, 2025 at her home. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church on March 14, 2025 with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Michael Cotto, Daniel Cotto, Robert Cotto, Chris Cotto, Chuck Cotto, Brandon Laxson. Honorary pallbearers are Juan Benavides and Jesse Benavides.

Mariana was born, April 26, 1939 in Brownsville, Texas to the late Miguel, Sr. and Mariana Olvera. She graduated from Brownsville High School in 1958 and married Eliseo Cotto, May 17, 1959. They, along with their five children, relocated to Waco after Eliseo’s retirement from the United States Navy. Mariana worked in the healthcare field in various administrative positions until her retirement in the early ‘90’s.

Mariana was a devoted Honey, Mother, Mamaw, Nani and Nena to all her family. She loved cheering for her children and grandchildren at their various sporting events. She always had an honest word for everyone and she loved a good joke. Family was the most important thing to her and she loved fiercely and deeply. To know her was to love her. She was tough as nails on the outside and soft as a flower on the inside. Mariana was the matriarch of her family, larger than life,  unstoppable force and a source of strength to all those she so passionately loved. There will never be anyone like her and she will truly be missed. Mariana and Eliseo have been longtime faithful members of St. Louis Catholic Church.

Mariana was preceded in death by her parents, Miguel, Sr. and Mariana Olvera; her brothers, Miguel Olvera, Jr., Juan Benavides, and Ruben Benavides; her sister and best friend, Amelia García,  son, Daniel Cotto, Sr. and granddaughter, Monica Childers.

Mariana leaves to continue her legacy her husband of over 66 years, Eliseo Cotto, Sr.; son, Eliseo Cotto, Jr. and his wife, Patricia; daughter, Maria Cotto and her husband, Perrin Boone, Marta Malzac and her husband, William; son, Carlos “Charlie” Cotto, Sr.; her beloved grandchildren, Daniel, Jr., LaTisha, Chuck, Jamie, Robert, Christopher, Julia, Christina, Nikki, Amy, Jessica, Michael, Miranda, Jasmin, and Elisa; her great-grandchildren, Aariyah, Jaidyn, Stephen, Lyric Marie, Ki’Ara, Dylan, Daniel, Damani, Sarah Margaret, Hannah, Darius, Justin, Jason, Karson, Kash, Tydus, Anthony, Emily, Aaliyah, Mateo, Guillermo, Marcel, Caitlynn, Cody, Ayva, Anthony, Eli, Kaynan, Seth, and Cali.

Mariana’s family invites you to leave a message or memory on her online “Tribute Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.