Mary Jean Waguespack, 80, of Houston, Texas, passed from this life on September 17, 2026. She was born on November 13, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Margaret and Leon Mistretta, Sr.

Mary Jean was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church on December 9, 1945, at St. James Major Catholic Church. She attended grammar school at St. Louis Cathedral Elementary School, continued her education at St. Raphael Catholic School as a middle school student, and graduated from the all-girls St. Joseph Academy.

From grammar school until she left for nursing school at age 18, Mary Jean enjoyed taking dance lessons. She attended Hotel Dieu School of Nursing, which was affiliated with Hotel Dieu Hospital, a Catholic hospital in New Orleans operated by the Daughters of Charity. Her clinical studies were completed at Hotel Dieu Hospital, while her academic studies were at Loyola University.

It was at Loyola University that Mary Jean met the love of her life, Ray Waguespack. They married on June 10, 1967, and shared 59 years of marriage. Their wedding ceremony was celebrated by Ray’s late brother, Father Clarence Waguespack, Jr., who was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome after graduating from the North American College.

Mary Jean devoted her entire professional career to serving others as a Registered Nurse, a calling she truly loved. Above all, the two greatest loves of her life were her Catholic faith and her family. She treasured being a wife, the mother of four children, and the grandmother of eight grandchildren.

Mary Jean is survived by her husband, Ray Waguespack, Sr.; her sons, Ray Waguespack, Jr. (Alex Waguespack) and Ryan Waguespack; her daughters, Rachel Ellisor (Michael Ellisor) and Renee Johnson (Ryan Johnson); her grandsons, Eric Ellisor, Dylan Waguespack, Logan Johnson, and Austin Ellisor; and her granddaughters, Gabrielle D’Armond, Madison Waguespack, Alexis Johnson, and Rylie Johnson. She is also survived by her sister, Vita Jo McVille.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon Mistretta, Sr. and Margaret Mistretta; her brother, Leon Mistretta, Jr.; and her half-sister, Cathrine Roccaforte.

Service Information

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 Tomball Parkway, Houston, Texas 77070. Burial will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70124.