Maria Dahlia Lewinski

Maria Dahlia Lewinski

Maria Dahlia Lewinski passed away at the age of 78 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born in Alice, Texas to her parents Manuel L. and Estella Garcia. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. Dahlia lived and grew-up at the Ott Adans Ranch in Alfred, Texas. In addition to her parents, Mr. Ott Adams was a major influence inter life during those years. She was enrolled in the Orange Grove Independent School District in 1951. Thanks to the civil rights activities of Dr. Hector Garcia, Dahlia’s class was the first Hispanic class infused into the Orange Grove’s schools. Dahlia attended school all twelve years in Orange Grove and earned the rank of valedictorian of her graduating class of 1964. She attended college in Kingsville, Texas at Texas A&I University. She graduated in 1968 with her Bachelor’s and earned her Master’s in 1978 in the area of Elementary Education. She worked eleven years for Robstown Independent School District and twenty three years for Corpus Christi Independent School District.

Dahlia married her pen-pal of four years, Richard R. Lewinski on January 8, 1970. Richard moved to Texas from Toledo, Ohio. He joined the Corpus Christi Police Department, retiring with the rank of Captain. Richard and Dahlia’s marriage produced seven healthy children: Gabriel Joseph, Patrick Tobias, Clarence Emanuel, Christi Nicole, Benjamin Peter, Matthew Hayes, and Andrew Xavier.

Richard and Dahlia have been faithful members of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church on Violet Road in Annaville, Texas since 1978. After retiring from the Corpus Christi Police Department, Richard studied and was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Corpus Christi in November 2008. Dahlia and Richard raised their young children in the Catholic Faith with the hopes that these precious children would be there to take their final communion with each parent before laying them to rest.

Dahlia is preceded in death by her parents, Manuel L. and Estella Garcia, her husband Richard R. Lewinski, and her sisters Dianna Garcia Saenz and Zobeida Garcia. 

Left behind to cherish her memory are her children and their spouses: Gabriel (Teresa), Patrick, Clarence (Krystal), Christi (Bill Russell), Benjamin, Matthew (Teri), and Andrew (Betty). These children gifted Dahlia with many grandchildren. She also leaves behind her brothers Manuel Garcia Jr., Miguel Garcia (Rhonda), and brother-in-law Daniel Saenz and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her brother and sisters in-law on Richard’s side: Clarence Lewinski Jr. (Diana), Anna Lewinski, and Connie Lewinski as well as many more nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Sawyer-George Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 5 pm and the Rosary will begin at 7 pm. The Mass will be held at St. Peter Prince of The Apostles on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 11:30 am to be followed by the interment at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 1 pm.