Mary Ann Dorminy

Mary Ann Dorminy peacefully passed away on September 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Port Arthur, Texas on July 10, 1928, to Phillip and Mary DiMaggio Piletere. She was the youngest of seven children.

The child of Italian immigrants, Mary Ann showed her first love for teaching at a young age as she helped many of her Italian neighbors and family friends study for and pass the citizenship test to become American citizens. After graduating from high school, Mary Ann was selling tickets at the local movie theater when she caught the eye of Jerry Dorminy.

She and Jerry married in Port Arthur in 1953, and moved to Premont, Texas. There they began their family, and over the next decade were blessed with four children. Jerry and Mary Ann had a deep sense of community there and enjoyed going dancing and playing bridge with their friends. Mary Ann was very involved in St. Theresa Catholic Church and the community of Premont, holding positions in the St. Theresa Women’s Club and the civic organization of Beta Sigma Phi. In 1967 she began attending Texas A&I University in Kingsville to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher, all while raising her children.

During this time, Jerry was transferred to Portland, Texas, and they purchased the home where they would host holidays and family for over 50 years. Mary Ann graduated college in 1972 as Magna Cum Laude. This began a new chapter in her life, and she spent the next twenty years teaching at East Cliff Elementary. Mary Ann had a way of making all her students feel special and loved and thought of many of them over the years.

As was her way, Mary Ann always stayed connected to her faith and community. She became a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Portland's Chatwork Civic Club. She was a devoted member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, where she sang in the choir for decades, was a Eucharist minister and will be remembered for her St. Joseph’s altar celebrations.

Mary Ann was a lover of American History and enjoyed taking road trips with her family exploring the origins of our country. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and all her children remember fondly the many historical sights she shared with them. In the midst of this busy life, Mary Ann’s focus always remained on her children. She was their greatest supporter and fiercest defender. She created a home filled with warmth and love and made every birthday and holiday a special occasion. Among family and friends, she was most fondly known for always welcoming you with something to eat the moment you walked through the door. In 1992, Mary Ann retired to become a full-time grandmother. She found her greatest joy in being an active part of her grandchildren’s lives—caring for them, cooking for them, and celebrating every milestone, big or small. Her constant presence, unwavering devotion, and tender care left an indelible mark on each of them.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her six siblings, and her beloved Jerry. She is survived by her children, Jerry Dorminy (Joann), Sharon Kollaja (Albert), Carol Ann Pate (Brant) and Darren Dorminy (Heidi). She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Chad Evans (Molly), Cody Evans (Gena), Shea Evans (Liz), Drew Kusenberger (Jessica), Kaley Regas (Jordan) and Chason Dorminy, as well as twelve great grandchildren, plus one more arriving soon.

Mary Ann will always be remembered for her infectious laugh, her generous spirit, and her great devotion to the Catholic faith. She was a blessing to all and will be deeply missed.

The family would like to thank the numerous caregivers who lovingly cared for Mom throughout the years, including AADI Hospice, Tony and Oscar Limas, Lee Johnson, Sandra Flores, Diane Martinez, and Sofie Perez.

Pallbearers will be Mary Ann’s grandsons, Chad, Cody, Shea, Drew, Jordan and Chason.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm on September 25, 2025, at Winstead’s Funeral Home in Portland, TX. A rosary will be said at 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Portland, TX on Friday, September 26 at 11:00 am, with graveside service at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com