Maria A. Mendoza

Maria (Mary) A. Mendoza, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Maria was born on May 21, 1936 in La Isla, TX. She graduated from Fabens High School while working her job at the Boston Store. She later married her best friend’s brother, our Dad. She met him in Elementary school and as the story goes, he would pull on her braids as a little girl when she was over visiting his sister. Later in High school they began dating and married several months after her high school graduation. They married in 1956 and she continued her career in retail sales. When beginning a family, she stayed home and raised three children until they were all school age before continuing her career. When the grandkids arrived, she again took time off from her career and stayed home to raise the grandkids so that her own kids could continue with their careers and educations. There wasn’t a kid or grandkid that she didn’t have a hand in raising and she loved it. Once those grandkids were of school age, she again returned back to the career she loved and remained there until retiring from Walmart while simultaneously supporting and juggling the demands of a growing and extended family. She knew how to live a life she loved alongside our dad doing and going everywhere together and continuing the growing of all our families, hosting all holidays and family get togethers, and providing a loving home that offered her family a sanctuary whenever needed. She loved her family deeply and did all she could to be a support system and safety net for her kids and grandkids. She never said no when there was a need and always provided an open door. Maria is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Lucio, sons: Lucio Jr. and Jose, her parents Ramon Alvillar and Maria Magdalena Montez, sisters Lupe Lujan, brothers Jose Alvillar and Mike Montes. She leaves behind daughters Lucille Montes, Laura Vigil, and son David Mendoza. Grandchildren Jose Montes, Michael Montes (Kayla), David Montes (Cynthia Nicole), Lauren Vigil (Abel Levario), Jacob Vigil, Alaina Mendoza, Alyssa Mendoza (Lee Ik-soo), and Alexa Mendoza and great grandchildren Crystal, Iris and Joey Montes, Hazel Montes, Evan and Noah Montes, Lucio and Ariana Levario. She also leaves behind, brothers Ramon Alvillar (Aurora), Manuel (Evelyn) Alvillar and sisters Maria Luisa Diaz (Aurelio), Ophelia Salaiz, and Magdalena Montes and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers: Jose Montes, Michael Montes, David Montes, George Mendoza, Gabriel Mendoza and Jacob Vigil.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:15 PM with a Chapel Service at 1:15 PM, Monday, March 6, 2023 at Sunset Funeral Homes- East, 750 N. Carolina. A Memorial Service will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 3:00 PM.