- Date Of Birth: September 13, 1932
- Date Of Death: March 26, 2013
- State: Texas
Dr. Maria Bassel-Roush passed from this world on Tuesday, March 26, at Alzcare Elder Living in Temple. She was 81 years of age. Maria was born in Tampico, Mexico on Sept. 13,1932 to Solomon and Alejandra Salem–both immigrants to Mexico from Jordan and Palestine.
Maria grew up in Tampico, then received her Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. Following an internship at Baptist Hospital, New Orleans, she came to Scott & White Clinic & Hospital for her residency, which she completed in Internal Medicine. She was a physician on the Medical Service of Temple V.A. Hospital for 32 years, where she was loved by all who knew her for her ever cheerful disposition and unsurpassed care of her patients. She retired in 1997.
Maria married Paul A. Bassel of Temple in 1962. After many years devoted in the care of Paul’s failing health, she was widowed in 1986. She married Dr. William Roush in 1999. She is survived by her husband, only child, Dr. Paul S. Bassel and his wife Dr. Katrina Bassel, granddaughters Emily and Rose, and step-son Dabney Bassel, wife Pam and their daughter Katherine. She is also survived by brothers, Eduardo and Juan Salem of Tampico, Mexico, sister Maria of Mexico City, and their extended families. She is also survived by five half-sisters and a half-brother, and their families in Mexico. She has many nephews and nieces living in the U.S. and Mexico.
She was also loved and embraced by William’s children, grandchildren, and spouses. Dr. Bassel was a non-practicing catholic; yet, she lived all her life according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and is certain to join Him in Heaven. Maria had many friends in the Temple area. She was known, to many, for her years of modeling in The Rose Bud Boutique style shows. She also enjoyed Wednesday Club with dear friends for many years. Maria loved her children equally. She was a devoted grandmother.
Maria also loved cooking and making people feel welcome and well fed. She was equally comfortable in the company of cowboys and high society. She and husband William learned to ballroom dance, and enjoyed attending Star Dust Dance Club’s monthly dances, where they made many new friends.
