Maria Luisa "Baby" Provencio was born on June 21, 1926 to Leonardo Samaniego and Carmen Sievers Samaniego of El Paso, Texas. One of ten siblings, Baby spent her early years in Sunset Heights and Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua. Returning to El Paso as a teenager, Baby crossed paths with a handsome military officer home on leave and went on to marry Juan J. Provencio shortly after. Parents to eight children, the military family moved frequently but considered El Paso home. Juan preceded Baby in death in January 2014, just months short of their seventieth wedding anniversary. Juan, their daughter LuLu and sons Philip and Edward were there to welcome Baby home to eternal life on November 8, 2017. Baby was a warm and loving mother, using her skills to create a rich home life for her family, preparing delicious meals, providing guidance with schoolwork and with personal matters, packing and unpacking the household many times over, gardening, and always assuring spiritual needs were met. She was a model of graciousness, compassion, and steadfast faith. Mary Lou is survived by daughters Teresa Messerli, Teeni Provencio, and Marti Provencio and sons Jim and Rick as well as spouses Brent, Royal, Tammy, and Rachel; three grandchildren, Eddie, Kelli, and Kari, and three great grandsons, Collin, River, and Everett. She was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings, William, Carmen, Lilly, Uriel, Teresa, Christina, Leo, and Hector. She is survived by her brother Octavio and in-laws Mary Grace Ramirez and Joe Provencio. Mary Lou's interest in her community found her participating in organizations as varied as the Granaderos de Galvez, the PanAmerican Round Table, and the Daedalian Wives Club, the Serra Club, ACTS, and the St. Patrick Cathedral Altar Society. She played canasta every Wednesday for nearly fifty years with a group of amazing women who sustained one another with their humor, friendship, and considerable card skills. Thank you Elvia, Sister, Marji, Martha, Dorothy, Emma, Teresa and Fabi. Baby's ready smile and open door policy welcomed people of all ages into her home and her heart throughout her life. The Provencio family would like to thank Dr. Gabriela Hunko, Hospice of El Paso, and Gloria Gasson for their tender attentiveness. Thank you as well to Father Ron Gonzales, Mary Ann Haynes, and Mary Frances Henderson for answering her spiritual needs with their visits. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make donations in her name to St. Patrick Cathedral Altar Society, The Serra Club, or El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. Services for Mary Lou will be held on Thursday November 16, 2017 at Martin Funeral Home West. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary vigil at 7 p.m. A mass in celebration of Baby's life will be held at St. Patrick Cathedral at 11 a.m. on Friday November 17, 2017, followed by burial at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1 p.m. We know Baby took the express elevator to heaven. We are comforted imagining her loved ones, Our Lady, the angels, and the saints singing her favorite hymn, "El Pescador." "Senor, has mirado mis ojos Sonriendo has dicho mi nombre…" As Our Lord welcomed her into His loving embrace.