Mary H. Fairbanks

Mary H. Fairbanks, widow of John C. Fairbanks, peacefully went to heaven surrounded by family on September 28, 2023. Born December 14, 1933 in San Antonio to parents Tommie R. and Miguel V. Gonzalez, she was proud of her TexMex heritage.
After meeting John at Kelly AFB, they married September 27, 1953 and began their life together. Several years later they moved to Yorktown. The Army took the family to Germany for three years. They were able to return to Yorktown , making it their permanent home.
Mary loved to tell stories of her childhood with her siblings and many cousins. Many involved traveling across the country with four sons to visit family in Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, and California. Mary and John opened their home to many friends and family over the years. You were always fed, and could stay as long as
needed. The line between friend and family was quickly blurred many times.
Some of the best memories of her are homemade Mexican food, late night rides for junk food ,impromptu sleepovers with blanket forts, and lots of silly jokes.
She was an example of a loving wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, but most of all friend. There was always love and laughter around her.
She was also preceded in death by her son Carl Austin, and sister Beatrice Deleon. Survivors include her sons J.Douglas (Brenda), Claude L.(Becky), and J. Dallas (Patricia). Grandchildren are Crystal (Luke) Queen, Melissa (Clint) Griffith, Tracy (Jacob) Hollis, Christopher (Elizabeth)Fairbanks, Jason (Natasha) Fairbanks, Kaci (Ryan)Jenkins, Joshua Fairbanks, Carlie Fairbanks, and Morgan Fairbanks. Great grandchildren include Clara, Reid, Alania, Zachary, Lily, Violet, Jaclyn, Allison and Haley,
Nadia, Watson, and Luna. Surviving siblings are Jesse Gonzalez, Diana Cervantes, and Mike Gonzalez. She will also be missed by her nieces and nephews and many other family members and friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8 PM in Amory Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, October 6, 2023 in St Joan of Arc Catholic Church and burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, Va.
Memorials to Virginia Peninsula Foodbank 401 Aluminum Ave., Hampton, VA 23661