Catherine "Marie" (Porter) Rekieta

Catherine Marie Porter Rekieta, beloved Mother and Grandmother, life-long resident of Paducah, and
member of Fairview Primitive Baptist Church, was called home to the Lord Tuesday, January 7 at
Childress Regional Medical Center.
Born on April 20, 1921 in Paducah, Texas to Van and Bunia Porter. She married Antone Rekieta on
January 6, 1940 and devoted her life to help him build a strong marriage and family. They raised 7
children, and she mothered with a loving and firm hand on the Rekieta farm. Marie sewed, gardened,
canned, chopped cotton, raised pigs and chickens, cooked and never a day passed that she wasn’t
working and serving her family. Several years ago she wrote about her hands, “I have no regrets for the
long, toilsome years here, for the Lord has blessed me with hands many years to live and enjoy my
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many friends and loved one’s as these hands held
and caressed these children and babies.”
In 1970, Marie pursued her dream of becoming a nurse and received her LVN in 1971. Although Marie
retired from nursing in 1985, she never lost the will to help others including volunteering as a hospice
nurse in the Paducah area. For years every Sunday she cooked large meals to share with her family and
friends at church.
She served and loved her family well and they adored their mother and Mamaw. Her door and kitchen
stayed open; she made you feel comfortable no matter your walk of life or situation, her faith shined in
everything she did. She was quick witted and even quicker to forgive. At 98 she embroidered cup
towels that she’d offer you when you walked in the door. There have been many hearts comforted and
minds set at ease making donuts, teaching you how to change a tire, how to drive in the snow or
cooking dumplings. She worked hard and with the kind of joy that made you want to join in with her. It
was her love, acceptance and ease of talking about things that made you forget about all your troubles
when you were hanging out with her. She also loved to talk about her faith, and it came naturally as she
helped you through things from a faith perspective and gave all the glory to God.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Antone, brothers Luther, Sam and Joe Porter and
granddaughter Jayla Ormiston. She is survived by her sister Mary Porter Smith. Children Tommy
Rekieta of Fairview, Patsy Pirtle-Wilson of Irving, James Rekieta of Houston, Mary Helen Gregory of
Paducah, Sherry Sanders of Aubrey, Barbara Sanders of Austin and Michael Rekieta of Irving; 18
grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Visitation is Friday, January 10, family will greet visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Service will be held at the
First Baptist Church of Paducah on Saturday, January 11 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow at Garden of
Memories Cemetery in Paducah. A meal will be shared by her family on Saturday prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in honor of Marie to the Childress Regional Medical Center/Hospice or Garden of Memories Cemetery in Paducah, TX