Marta Mirian Zelidon

Mirian was born on July 19, 1949 in San Salvador, El Salvador, to Jose Humberto Rivera and Maria Soledad Villalta de Rivera. She attended Colegio Centro America in Sonsonate, El Salvador, and worked as part of the administrative staff of the hospital clinic Sanidad de Sonsonate. She came to the United States in October of 1980 where she later became a U.S. citizen. While living in America, she worked for the Houston Independent School District for over 10 years.

Mirian will always be loved and remembered for her kind and forgiving heart, her undying faith in God, her love for life and her unique ability to make everyone she touched feel special. Her strong family values guided her throughout her life and were an inspiration to the many people she met along the way. Mirian and her husband were childhood neighbors, who as teenagers decided to take a trip to the movies, and their story began. They exchanged vows on June 05, 1971 at Parroquia Central De Sonsonate Catholic Church. During their marriage, they raised four children and shared many special moments watching various sporting events as she was an avid sports fan. She loved gardening, singing along to her favorite songs and dancing with her husband, but what brought her the most joy was sharing special moments with her grandchildren. Band recitals, sporting events, birthdays and family vacations were always better when she was there, and she always had a big smile and a happy heart.

Mirian was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Nelson Rivera and Roberto Serarols, and her granddaughter Grace Lauren Hext. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Jose Ramon (Monchi) Zelidon; her 4 children: daughter Thelma, and her husband Shawn Smith; daughter Irma, and her husband Brad Hext; daughter Jacqueline, and her husband Jason Houston; son Joseph Zelidon, and his wife Maricela; and 11 grandchildren: Amanda Smith, Ashley Smith, Alyssa Smith, Joseph Hext, Job Cervantes, Madi Hext, Julyen Zelidon, Ava Smith, Jack Hext, Mailey Zelidon and Macie Zelidon. She is also survived by her brothers Jose Humberto Rivera, Ricardo Rivera, Marvin Rivera, and sister Patricia Cruz, along with numerous beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Many of you have asked how you can help our family during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to a fund benefiting Marta Mirian’s medical and funeral expenses. ( https://gofund.me/3ee3c489) We truly appreciate your support!