Maria R. Barrett

of Glendale, Arizona, passed away on August 26, 2012. Maria was born in San Jose de Gracia, Michoacan, Mexico on July 14, 1935 to Maria Corona and Lt. Col. Pablo Ruiz Gonzalez. Her beautiful singing voice and talent as a musical composer led her to Guadalajara and Mexico City where she had hit records with RCA. In 1972, she married Charles Barrett and came to the United States, became a citizen and finished her education at Glendale College. In 1984 and 1985, she won the O.T.I. Musical Composers competition awards for the State of Arizona. She composed and sang songs in Spanish for Eddie Basha's run for Governor. She took up her music career again in 2005, composing, singing, and producing the album "Popurri Musical". She sang in the choir at St. Helen's Catholic Church and with the Celebration Singers at the Glendale Adult Center. She was generous and loving to every person with whom she came in contact, and was an advocate for the rights of the Hispanic community. She is survived by her husband, Charles Barrett; sister Sheny Ruiz Milligan; brother Roberto Ruiz; niece Lilly Milligan; nephews Lester, William, Eldon Milligan and Brian Garcia; step-children, Susan Reed, Mary Steele, James Barrett, Elizabeth Barrett and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by brothers Miguel, Ignacio and Jose Ruiz and sister Angelina Chavez; step-son Charles Barrett and step-daughter Agnes Barrett. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, from 6-9pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at St. Helen's Catholic Church, 5510 W. Cholla, Glendale, at 8:30am. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona. The family would appreciate any memorial donations to be made to St. Helen's Catholic Church.