MARY L. VILLANUEVA, age 96, a resident of Irving for 92 years, joyfully went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 17, 2013. Born June 7, 1916 in West Liberty, Iowa to Marcelino and Beatrice Ponce, she married Edward Villanueva on November 30, 1932 in Hunt County, Texas. The Ponce family was the first Hispanic family in Irving. For many years, Mary worked for her brother, Louis in the dry cleaning business, spice business, then at his Los Ponces Restaurant, the first Mexican food restaurant in Irving. She was a member of St. Lukes Catholic Church in Irving. Preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers and sisters, Louis, Joe, Manuel, Elizabeth and Rosemary, she is survived by her brothers, Norman Ponce of North Richland Hills and Gilbert Ponce of Arizona; sisters, Lois Farnelli of Duncanville and Carolyn Moore of Alabama; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews; and a host of friends. Visitation will be from 6-7 p.m., Wednesday with a Rosary to be said at 7 p.m. at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home Chapel, 606 West Airport Freeway in Irving. The Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m., Thursday, March 21 at St. Lukes Catholic Church, 204 South MacArthur Blvd in Irving. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving.