A celebration of life for Maria will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a chapel service at 6 PM in Chapel of Angels at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista, 125 Mcdavitt Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78521.
Maria Elena Contreras was born at Dolly Vincent Hospital in San Benito, Texas to Gilberto and Paula Montemayor on August 3rd 1948. She married Raul Contreras on November 11, 1977 in Brownsville, Tx. She worked as a quality control manager for Haggar Apparel Company for 20 years and Bonsworth for 10 years.
Maria Elena is preceded in death by her mother and father Gilberto and Paula Montemayor, and her brother Martin Montemayor.
Maria Elena is survived by her husband Raul Contreras, son Reynaldo Escobedo III, daughter Raquel Leal (Xavier), son Eric Escobedo, daughter Jessica L. Contreras (Jaime), daughter Jennifer Ruiz (Richard), and daughter Crystal Contreras.
Her brothers and sisters: Gilberto Montemayor Jr., Isidro Montemayor, Rolando Montemayor (Monica+), Jesus Montemayor (Claudia), Alicia Hurley (Pete+), Graciela Garza( Ismael), Norma Martinez (Isreal+), Antonia Montemayor, Alejos Montemayor and sister-in-law Aurora Montemayor.
Grandchildren Aaron Jacob Casas (Arian), David Matthew Cepeda, Bianca M. Cepeda, Alexandra Andrea Salazar, Richard Ruiz, Jr., Lauren Lee Salazar, Jeremy Ruiz, Nayeli G. Luna, Julian J. Salazar, Amani J. Luna, Ronaldo Escobedo, Reynaldo Escobedo, Jaime Joy Amador, and great-grandson David A. Ruiz.
Special comments:
• Norma - "She was a tough Leo."
• Rachel - "Mom was one of the hardest working persons I know. Never missed a day of work and always gave it her all. All her children inherited that trait. She also loved to cook and we also gained that special trait from her. Food was her way of bringing those she loved together and if she wanted to see you she would make your favorite meal so that you would come over and eat. She would then ask "How does it taste?" She was a spicy little lady that marched to the beat of her own drum. Thank you mom for doing the best with what you had."
• Eric - "Thank you mom for caring and loving for me the best you knew how."
• Crystal - "Mom, I never truly understood what the words I miss you were until I reached for your hand and it wasn't there anymore. I love you."
• Alexandra - "Hey twin, I love you forever. I hope heaven has the best maqinitas for you. Thank for the looks, but mostly the smarts grandma."
• Josie - "I have always remembered when we were little we used to play together and lots of other things we did together. I think she was my dads first granddaughter she grew to be a beautiful woman. My dad loved her a lot and so did I."
• Jennifer - " 'Honor her for all that her hands have done' Proverbs 31:31. A mother's children are the fruit of her love, and they will go on to sing her eternal praise. We love you, Mom."
• Rey - " Thank you for doing the best you did for us, love you mom."
• Graciela - "Lena was very smart she could've been a lawyer. She was a person defending her brothers and sisters all the time. No was not a good answer. She was spiritual in her own way."
• Jesse & family - "Lena we love you. We are going to miss you very much. We will cherish your memories forever. Peace be with you."
• Jessica - "Mother's have so much purpose here on Earth. You fulfilled yours here with us. May you rest in peace spicy lady. Love you."
• Toni - "She was a very good sister to all of us and we will miss her very much."
• Joann - "She said something that I always remember about her and when she said it we both laughed and I told her she was right about that. When she let me take her picture and I showed her how nice she came out she said 'Well when you got it, you got it, and you have it and it never goes away!' From that day I heard her say it I've loved that saying. And I think for her no matter how old she was she always had that special 'It' for sure!"
Our family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Fadi Alfayoumi, Dr. Ammar M. Halloum, the MICU staff at Valley Baptist Medical Center, her friend Ms. Dalia and Ms. Delia for keeping her in good spirits and watching over her during her extracurricular activities like the "maquinitas."
