Maureen Merle Stinson passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 79, with her children by her side.  She was born on July 19, 1941, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Maureen is survived by her husband Elvin Stinson; daughter Melissa Zeinert and husband Gary, and their sons, Garrison Zeinert and Zane Zeinert; son Todd Stinson and wife Susan and their daughters, Emily Stinson and Riley Stinson; brother Bruce Schnitz and his wife Beth, his children, Erich Schnitz, Kyle Schnitz, and Hilary Schnitz; sister Kathy Loyd and her husband Terry, their daughters Julie Loyd and Jaime Peterson.

She is preceded in death by her mother Rita Morganstern Schnitz; father Eldon Merle Chase; and sisters Melissa Jo, Linda, and Judi.

Maureen was the oldest of 6 children.  One of her favorite stories was in 1946 when she was 5, and her family was moving to Texas.  They traveled by train, which took 3 days.  She loved telling how she liked to sneak to the end of the car because she wanted to visit with some soldiers.  One soldier lifted her up and she started singing all of the songs she knew.  Maureen always loved music, loved to sing, and had a beautiful voice.

In 1959, Maureen graduated from Luling High School, then from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1963 with an Arts degree.  Right after, she started teaching in Belton, Texas.  On December 19, 1964, Maureen married Elvin Eugene Stinson and moved to Pleasanton, Texas. Maureen taught 1 ^st grade, and then art and reading at Pleasanton Junior High.  She was a talented artist and teacher who inspired many students.  Maureen ended her career teaching art at Pleasanton High School in 1998, when she retired. Maureen always cared for her students and kept up with them for years afterward.

Maureen was a member of Pleasanton Church of Christ and she loved the Lord with all her heart.  She was a loving wife and mother who adored her grandchildren. They were her greatest joy in life, and she would brag on them to anyone who would listen.  Maureen was proud of her Irish heritage and was strong-willed, never gave up, and was very resilient, even with so many medical issues, but she also had a giving spirit and helped anyone who needed it.  Those who knew Maureen, also knew she was known for rescuing animals, especially cats.  She always had cats as pets, as they gave her lots of comfort. She had a beautiful yard for many years, enjoyed being outside listening to the birds, and feeling the cool breeze.

Her family and friends will miss her greatly but will continue to cherish all of the wonderful memories and lessons that she taught them along the way.

A celebration of Maureen's life will be held on June 12, 2021, at Strawberry Pines in Poteet, starting at 9:30 am.

The family wishes memorial contributions be made to:

• Mary Hardin-Baylor University – go.umhb.edu/giving
• Wayward Whiskers Cat Rescue - https://www.wayward-whiskers-cat-rescue.org/donate/
• Medina Children's Home - https://aohlegacy.org