Deborah Gail Mueck Vittitoe

Deborah Gail Mueck Vittitoe died peacefully after a brief illness on April 26, 2025, at home while in hospice care in Harlingen, Texas. Gail enjoyed an active and fruitful life of seventy-three years. Born on November 8, 1951, to Floyd Mueck and Rosemary Williams Mueck. She graduated from High School in Bishop, Texas in 1970 and she was a member of the mighty Bishop “Badger” High School Marching Band.

Gail graduated from Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas in 1974 with a BA in Home Economics. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and an Alpha Tau Omega Little Sister. During her last year of college, she met the love of her life, Craig Harold Vittitoe. Her future husband noted that their relationship would soon blossom into an infinitely strong and everlasting love. Before marriage, she taught for a year at Devine High School, Devine, Texas. After Craig’s first year of law school, the couple married in Bishop, Texas on July 12, 1975. The young couple moved to Houston, Texas, where Gail worked to support the household while Craig completed his final two years of law school. At the time, Gail was employed by Carpenter’s Local 213 as an assistant financial secretary. She had learned book-keeping skills while working part-time during high school. Soon after their third wedding anniversary, the couple welcomed Jennifer Lynn Vittitoe on August 28, 1978, in McAllen, Texas. She was a beautiful baby girl and the love of Gail and Craig’s life. While the family lived in McAllen, Gail taught two years at Edinburg High School before the family moved to Harlingen where Craig commenced his private practice of law. Gail fully supported Craig’s legal career and activities in public service. She undertook additional studies to become certified to teach computer literacy coursework. Gail taught at Harlingen’s Coakley Middle School for an additional thirty-six years prior to retiring from Harlingen CISD. While at Coakley, she mentored the student Honor Roll program, routinely planned the Eighth-grade graduation ceremony, and was always ready to assist her fellow teachers with computer operations, including preparing various and sundry teaching aids for the school. Gail was a dedicated and gifted public-school teacher. Moreover, she was nice, respectful, and non-judgmental, to everyone. She really loved teaching her students and keeping up with their latest trends. She would discover on occasion that she had taught three generations of children within the immediate family unit. Gail loved Harlingen and thought it was a special community filled with good people and friends.

Gail and Craig were very proud parents of their daughter, Jennifer. They looked forward to and loved being part of all of Jennifer’s events. Gail’s skills ensured that Jennifer’s apparel looked impeccable at every function from dance recitals at the age of three to SWT Strutter Drill team as a young lady. Gail was overjoyed when Jennifer performed as a Harlingen South Southern Star in the Macy’s Parade in New York City and in London, England. A special joy radiated in Gail when Jennifer became engaged and married Ryan Andrew McCormack on October 11, 2011. One of the happiest moments in Gail and Craig’s life.

Gail and Craig were devoted to Saint Anthony Catholic Church where they regularly attended Mass. In her early years, she was a member of the Harlingen Junior Service League and enjoyed a leadership role in planning the public entertainment for the annual “Rio Fest” festival. In recent years, Gail enjoyed volunteering with the American Red Cross, attending P.O.E. Sisterhood higher education gatherings with close friends. More recently she was a member of the Mid-Valley Book Review Luncheon Club. She very much enjoyed the many years that she spent with her dear “Beta” friends of Beta Sigma Phi.

Gail and Craig enjoyed traveling. They traveled to several areas of the United States exploring historical sites and upon Alaska cruises. Similarly, they traveled to parts of Europe, including upon the Mediterranean Sea. Their most memorable trip was one of the spiritual Catholic Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Israel). During this special trip, their marriage vows were reverently repeated on November 6, 2018, while in Cana, Galilee, Israel. All their trips were wonderful and beautiful.

Gail is survived by her husband Craig, and brother Tommy (Pauline, deceased) Mueck of Carencro, LA and their two children, Clint Mueck and Diane Mueck (Richard) Felis. Paternal Sister-in-Law Dana Standerfer of Grand Prairie, TX and daughter Lauren Standerfer, DDS and son Jared (deceased). Paternal Sister-in-Law Joan Lynn (Bruce) Turner of Pattison, TX and daughter, Shannon (Jason) Johnston and their children Alyssa and Jason Thomas. Paternal Sister-in-Law Judy Vittitoe (David Teuscher) of Arlington, TX. Paternal Brother-in-Law Roger John (Diana) Vittitoe of Weslaco, TX. and their children, Roger C., Jon C., and Jackie D. (Sam) Vittitoe Ribeiro. Craig wishes to especially thank Rebeca Coronado and Osiel Herrera for the special care and concern extended to our family (and our many pets) over many years. Both have been like family.

Gail is preceded in death by her daughter Jennifer Lynn Vittitoe McCormack and Jennifer’s husband Ryan Andrew McCormack, her parents, Floyd and Rosemary Mueck, her husband’s parents, Harold and Elaine Vittitoe, and her God Parents, Fidencio G. and Eva Mae Garza, Jr.

A grateful thank you to Eugene Nunnery, MD and Tami Dittburner, ANP for their long and devoted healthcare of Gail. Thank you to Michael Muniz, PharmD and Vanessa Cobarrubias, PA, and to JoAnn Folsom and her aide, Ofelia Jackson, together with Gentiva Hospice, for their care of Gail during her final days. Thank you to next door neighbor Delores Padgett, CRNA (retired), for providing comfort to Gail during Gail’s last days.

A Memorial Celebration of Gail’s life will take place May 17, 2025, at 2:00pm, at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business US Hwy 77, San Benito, Texas 78586. Phone: (956)361-9192. A reception will follow at the Harlingen Country Club.

Gail had a heart of gold that she demonstrated through acts of kindness, love, and mercy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to a charity of your choice that assists “the other” in need of mercy or with a simple act of kindness.