Maria Lourdes Zavala

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Maria Zavala or as most of her family and friends knew her “Maria Lourdes Romero Zarate.” Maria lost her battle with liver cancer and passed away peacefully on May 10,2026 at age 58. She was surrounded by her children,nephew, granddaughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law in her final moments of life. My mother was born on October 1,1967, in Colima, Colima Mexico to Josefa Zarate Anguiano and Jose Romero Guerrero who she will now rejoin in heaven to watch over us. She spent her life as a devoted Mother, a loving life partner, a grandmother, and a sister. Through her journey of 58 years, she will be remembered for her love of traveling, her way to enjoy every moment of life, her way of always being “de arranque” and her way of loving her loved ones unconditionally. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that lives in all of us.

Maria worked at Evans fruit company out in Cowiche, WA for about 10 years. She also worked at Estrella Blanca a bus transportation company, for many years. She loved her time there because she had the ability to travel to different cities and meet a lot more people. She then stopped working and focused on taking care of her fruit trees and flowers which she loved.

Maria loved to travel especially to Mexico to visit her parents’ graves. She would also love weekend get aways with her family or friends. Like she would say “de jira artistica or triunfando.” You would also find her in the casino in the poker room or on the slot machines. She would say that it would help her release her stress. She also loved to get her nails done at Lotus Nails or as she would say “con el chinito” the only place she trusted with her nails since I can remember.

She will be lovingly remembered and missed for her hugs as well as her kisses, she would make you forget about your crappy day with her affections. We used to hate it, but we will now all miss “las regañadas’ she would always let you know if you were in the wrong and she was always a straight shooter she didn’t care if you wanted to hear it or not, she would not sugar coat it. she had the ability to just give you the look and that look would let you know that you were in trouble if looks could kill she had the look. The most noticeable place that she will be missed will be our family gatherings like birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving and just the family carne asada. She would walk into a room and change the mood to a more outgoing, fun vibe. We will all miss her cooking all her good food like her tamales, frijoles, mole, arroz con leche, sopitos, menudo and her capirotada just to name a few. We all know you can get these foods somewhere else, but we also know that mom’s cooking just hits differently.

Maria is survived by her life partner Ezequiel Zavala, her daughters Nora N.(Juan) Peralta, Jakelin (Sergio) De Jesus, and her son Christian (Chayo) Lopez. Her grandchildren Gisselle, JJ, Adilene; Genesis, Jr, Alondra; Lilo and Angel. As well as 3 sisters Rafaela, Irma, Esther and 1 brother Bonifacio.

Friends and family will be able to say their final farewell on Wednesday May 27 at El Paraiso Funeral Home 1010 W Yakima Ave Yakima WA from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Services to Honor Maria life will be held on Thursday May 28,2026 at the church San Jose (12 N 4th street Yakima) at 10:30 am followed by the funeral at Calvary Cemetery 1405 S 24th Ave Yakima, WA.