Maria Elena Magana - Mary Ellen Magana, age 80, was called home to our Lord on Tuesday August 8, 2023. She was born April 9, 1943, in Northwest Indiana to the late Baudelio and Jovita Nunez. She married Pablo Magana May 16, 1981, and raised 3 children. She was dedicated to her children and her church.

She was a devout Catholic and helped developed the Hispanic Ministries at her local church in Gary, Indiana, and was a long-time cantor at St. Francis Xavier Church in Lake Station. She worked at the Office of Hispanic Ministry in East Chicago for the Catholic Diocese of Gary, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Baudelio and Jovita (Rios) Nunez; brothers Baudelio (Bobby) Nunez and Juan (John) Nunez; and her beloved husband Pablo Magana.

She is survived by her children, Monica (Teddy) Roldan, Pablo (Nadia) Magana, and John Magana; and her grandchildren, Serena Roldan, Alexis Roldan, Estevan Roldan, and Pablo Magana.

Visitation for Mary will be held from 2-8 pm Thursday August 17, 2023, at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel 5341 Central Avenue Portage, Indiana 46368. Mass will begin Friday August 18, 2023, with 10:15 am Prayers and process to St Francis Xavier Catholic Church 2447 Putnam Street Lake Station, Indiana 46405 for the 11:00 am Celebration of The Rite of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Portage.

Memorial gift may be made to St Francis Xavier Catholic Church.