Minita Marroquin Freeman

Minita Marroquin Freeman, surrounded by her loving family, died peacefully at her home on Monday, September 28, 2015. She was predeceased by her parents Gregorio and Guadalupe Marroquin, her husband Robert Freeman, her sister Alicia Sanchez and granddaughter Emily Freeman. Left to cherish her memory are her sister Aurora Villarreal, children Susan Jones (Rodger), Marjorie Freeman (Deedy Woolard), Robert N. Freeman II (Mary), Shayla Simmons (Robert), grandchildren Stacy Jones, Spencer Jones, Caitlin Freeman and numerous nieces and nephews.

Minita graduated from Laredo High School in 1938 as its valedictorian and continued her education at the University of Texas where she graduated with honors with a BBA in Public Accounting in 1942 – at a time when women who chose accounting were relegated to performing routine bookkeeping tasks and not more comprehensive tasks, including development of management controls or providing tax advice. She immediately put her accounting degree to work as the inventory control officer at Laredo Air Force Base, where she counted and accounted for every single nut, bolt, ammunition and airplane. She met and later married Robert “Bob” Freeman, an Air Force gunnery instructor and after WWII, they returned to Austin so Bob could attend the University of Texas.  In Austin she worked as a typist and proofreader at the State House of Representatives. Noticed for her speed and ability to type documents accurately, she was snatched up by Governor Price Daniel’s office to work for him. By 1947, she and Bob returned to Laredo with their first child and she established a solo public accounting practice, thereby becoming the first female licensed public accountant in Laredo.

Her practice grew over the next several decades with a diverse mix of clients from small businesses to larger scale operators of ranches, farms, oil and gas interests, retail and wholesale businesses. Regardless of the size of the business, Minita gave exemplary and personalized service. She was known for her ability to listen to her clients, analyze their business and personal needs and offer them sound planning advice, along with mechanisms to implement that advice. In the late 1950’s, Minita was named Laredo City Auditor, the first time a woman was ever chosen to perform this important function. Her office was relegated to a back room with the name “M.M. Freeman” painted on the door so that many in the community believed the auditor to be a man. The cat was let out of the bag when she received a commendatory letter of conformance from the Municipal Finance Officers of the U.S. and Canada.  By this time she had three more children, a blossoming practice, and a challenge to balance career and family. As her practice and reputation for comprehensive, quality service grew, her client’s children also became clients. Even before it was in vogue to obtain licensure as a certified financial planner, she was performing these services to her clients.

For several years, she was providing accounting services to her sister and brother in law (Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Sanchez Sr.) in their office equipment sales and repair company. A.R. Sanchez Sr. began buying oil and gas leases and in the mid 1970’s, Sanchez, his son Tony Jr. and a third partner created Sanchez O’Brien Oil and Gas Corp. (now Sanchez Oil and Gas), and Minita served as its Senior Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. For the next two decades she worked tirelessly to institutionalize the best financial management systems available for this growing and successful company.

Throughout her career, she maintained a deep commitment to community service. Her membership in the Society of Martha Washington began in 1949 and not surprisingly, she served as the Society’s Treasurer for many years. She also served as its President and Parliamentarian and all her daughters and granddaughters were presented as debutantes. She also made time to volunteer with the Women’s City Club, La Frontera Toastmistress Club, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of Mercy Hospital Advisory Board, Webb County Heritage Foundation and Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, she was instrumental in founding and leading two investment clubs, guiding their members to a greater understanding of their personal investments. Self taught about the financial markets, she began investing in the stock market in the 1960’s and to this day she continually espoused the benefits of investing –“because if you start small, you will win big.”

Minita also joined Leadership Texas, the premier statewide leadership program for women who have demonstrated skill in business and community service. She then became instrumental in founding Leadership Laredo in 1986, along with several alumni from Leadership Texas. This program continues today, engendering in others a dedication to community involvement and commitment to excellence.

In the late 1990’s she retired from Sanchez Oil and Gas but continued to be active in several organizations, as well as avidly following and analyzing the stock market through intricate formulas designed by her. In 2006, she was nominated to the Women’s Hall of Fame in the Finance/Economics category by the Laredo Commission for Women. She constantly advised women to strive for economic independence by saving and investing their money.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ricardo Cigarrroa and Dr. Leo Cigarroa for their excellent care and to her angel caregivers Lupita Gonzalez, Manuelita Hernandez and Yolanda Guerrero.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to Mercy Ministries, 2500 Zacatecas Laredo, TX 78046 or to Laredo Animal Protective Society, 2500 Gonzalez St. Laredo, TX 78040.  For UT fans feel free to wear your Longhorn colors.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services from 5 PM until 9 PM. Celebration of life will begin at 6 PM.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr. Laredo, Texas 78041 (956)723-3611.  For your convenience you may sign the guest book or leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com.