Maria Cruz Weyrauch

Maria Cruz [nee Ortiz] Weyrauch died October 1, 2014 in Hemet, Ca. She was born June 13, 1924 in a small village on the Tohono O'odham Reservation in southern Arizona. The daughter of Frank and Frances Ortiz and a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation, she spent her young life on the Reservation and in Ajo, Arizona. During World War II, she met and married Robert C. Weyrauch and moved to southern California. They were married 37 years and had five children.

Her family and friends knew her as "Cruz." She retired from Riverside County social services in 1985. She had many interests, but she was especially talented in sewing and gardening. She sewed most of her own clothes as well as the clothes for her children and gifts for others. When she was not working or sewing, she was in her garden. During the daytime, she preferred to be outside taking care of her yard, plants, and many flower beds, frequently giving gifts of fruit, nuts, and produce from her gardens to family and friends. She enjoyed being an "elder" with the neighboring Soboba band of Luiseno Indians, attending events and traveling with her Native friends.

Preceded in death was her husband and most of her 11 siblings as well as two of her sons, Ronnie and Richard Weyrauch (Elaine), stepdaughter Marilyn, and a grandson, Robert Weyrauch Jr. She is survived by one sister, Hilda Meedan, her son, Robert J. Weyrauch (Judy), her daughters, Rita Cruz Begay-Spence (David) and Reina Rogers (Tom), her stepchildren, Roberta Meyers and Dennis Weyrauch (Rosemary). She also has many nieces and nephews, 15 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.