Maria L. Mendoza

Maria Luisa Mendoza, beloved mother and grandmother, 91, born September 30, 1932, in Mexico.  She passed away on August 21, 2024, in Rio Grande City, Texas surrounded by her loving family. 

Maria will reunite with her husband, Felix Mendoza (1905-1971). Maria leaves behind 14 children, 2 Marine and 1 Army veteran, 30 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

 Maria endured an exceptionally challenging life from a young girl to adulthood which made Maria impressively strong. Maria came from humble beginnings as she worked as a migrant farm worker across the U.S. She often shared stories of her travels to Wyoming where she and her family picked sugar beets. Maria’s family was the first to establish the Santa Rosa community, often being the center of neighborhood gatherings. Maria was highly respected and loved by her neighbors, and always ready to lend a helping hand but also ran her household with a firm hand. Maria was not only the matriarch of the family but also a pivotal member of the community. Maria was an amazing cook, who especially enjoyed eating menudo and nopales. Maria loved shopping trips to Walmart and getting lost which became an inside family joke. Maria was always ready to play Loteria. 

Visitation Friday, August 23, 2024, 2-8 PM, Rosary Friday, August 23, 6-7 PM, Visitation Saturday, August 24, 8-9:30 AM, Mass Saturday, August 24, San Pablo Apostol, La Puerta, Burial Saturday, August 24, 11 AM – 12 PM.