Maria Victoria Zuniga Canales (1946-2014) Born in Dallas, February 24, 1946, passed away February 21, 2014 after a long and heroic struggle with Parkinson's Disease and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. She was preceded in death by parents, Manuel and Maria de Jesus Zuniga and husband, Nelson Canales. Victoria is survived by sons: Nelson and David Canales; sisters: Luisa Zuniga, Carmen Zuniga, Rosie Martinez; brothers: Manuel and Mario Zuniga and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. "Vicky" attended David Crocket Elementary and St. Edwards Academy. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1964. She was a member of a Religious Congregation, (The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur) from 1965 to 1982. During this time, she graduated from St. Joseph's School of Vocational Nursing and served in many health facilities, including John Peter Smith (Fort Worth) and Ben Taub (Houston). She spent several years as a medical missionary in Rwanda and the Republic of Congo. In Houston, she served the needy and displaced, working in the "Magnificat" Halfway Houses. Vicky studied at both the University of Dallas and the University of Houston. In 1983 she married Nelson Canales. "Mrs. Canales" served the children and parents of Dallas by working as a bi-lingual assistant in several DISD schools from 1997 - 2005. Following retirement, she resided at Vickery Towers at Belmont and for the last 8 months of her life, at the Treemont Nursing and Rehabilitation facility. Vicky cared deeply for others, especially for those suffering from illness and social injustice. She was much loved where ever she went for her up-beat personality and her lively faith in God. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Memorial Mass at Calvary Hill Funeral Home North Chapel on March 8, 2014 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Association of Dallas.
