Maria Amalia Mendoza, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at her residence in Holbrook, surrounded by her loved ones. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Holbrook. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 26, at the church.
She was born Aug. 10, 1928, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
Maria lived in Mexico most of her life. There she studied accounting and became a bookkeeper. After moving to El Paso, she gave birth to her first and only son.
In December 1986, she moved to Holbrook, Arizona. Ever since that year she loved to say “bendito Holbrook,” meaning holy Holbrook. Within her 29 years of living in Holbrook she worked at the Butterfield Steak House and the Holbrook Senior Center. There she answered phone calls and greeted individuals. Besides working at those two locations, she kept books for individuals who needed it. The last person she kept books for in Holbrook was Ben Cole. Throughout that time she always greeted people with a smile and made lifelong friends.
She enjoyed visits from her friends and family, but most of all her grandchildren. When first arriving to Holbrook she enjoyed watching Native American Dances throughout the summer, but she would also participate. She loved going to quinces, weddings and birthday parties. She would always bring life to the party. Lastly, she loved to watch her telenovelas every day. She loved to collect angels and, to many individuals, she was an angel sent from above to help them in their journey.
Survivors include her son, Victor Manuel Paz (Bibiana Nevarez); her grandchildren, Victor Paz Jr., (Sara Paz), Noel Lorusso (Terra Lorusso) and Jessica Paz; and her great-grandchildren, Elena Martinez and Isaac Martinez.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmundo Mendoza and Amalia E. Mendoza; and her brother, Edmundo Mendoza Jr. They are once again united.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Holbrook was in charge of the arrangements.
