Maria Sanchez Aguinaga

Our beautiful and loving mother Maria S. Aguinaga passed away surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the age of 81. She was born on November 21, 1942 to Apolonio Sanchez and Juanita Perez Sanchez.

Maria was a lifelong resident of Santa Rosa, Texas and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was employed with the Santa Rosa Independent School District as a cook in their cafeterias from August 27, 1984 to June 30, 2010. She retired after 26 years of service.

Maria loved to bake and one of her favorite desserts to make were empanadas, peach cobbler and capirotada which she would make during lent. She was also an accomplished seamstress which had her friends and family reaching out to her to have their clothes altered or new pieces made. She enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, playing chalupa, watching her novelas and game shows, and listening to her parakeets or Elvis Presley.

Our mother was one of a kind. Her unconditional love for each one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always be cherished.

Thank you mom for all the wonderful memories you have given us and always loving us, even though you are no longer here with us we can still feel your love and presence. You will always live in our hearts and we will miss you dearly.

Maria is survived by her children Sylvia Aguinaga (Fernando Rodriguez); Leticia A. Rodriguez; Ricardo Aguinaga; Javier Aguinaga; Juan Francisco Aguinaga (Elvira Myers); and Sergio Aguinaga; her sisters Severa Badillo, Petra Garza, Aurora Perez and her sister-in-law Juanita Sanchez.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband Tomas Ricardo Aguinaga; her mother Juanita P. Sanchez and her father Apolonio Sanchez; her brother Evaristo Sanchez; her brother-in-law Manuel Badillo and her brother-in-law Rafael Perez.

Maria is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.

A visitation for Maria will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. A funeral mass will occur Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 101 San Antonio Ave, Santa Rosa, TX followed by a burial at Heavenly Grace Funeral Memorial Park.

Serving as pallbearers are Eric Rodriguez, Jacob Anthony Martinez, Tristan Rodriguez , Ricardo Aguinaga Jr. , Nickolas Ryan Rodriguez, Max Leal Aguinaga, Tevin Koebe Henderson and Dravin John Aguinaga. Serving as honoree pallbearers will be her great-grandchildren.