Maria J Avila Acosta

California resident Maria Jose Avila, 58, died November 30, 2020 in a freeway accident in Buena Park, Orange County.

Services for Maria will be on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. The family will update information regarding Covid-19 in-person restrictions for services. This summer is when they plan to hold a true celebration of Maria's incredibly full life, which can only happen with the human warmth of a giant gathering for all to attend.

Maria was born on February 18, 1962 in Calceta, Ecuador. In her first marriage she had a daughter, Danissa, and her only son, Manuel. She had two more daughters, Maria Jose and Jesse, with her second husband.

In 1989 Maria made the courageous and bold decision to start a new life in the United States. Soon after, she was reunited with her daughters and the four of them lived in Eagle Rock until the girls became adults.

She experienced great joy in being present for her daughters' weddings, and spending time with all of her grandchildren, Oceana, Dylan, Elyanna, Anita y Juan Pablo, Roman, and Mylo, even if it meant way too many cookies for Mylo.

During her years in Eagle Rock, Maria owned a hair salon which was always full of happy people getting high-end haircuts and styles. She reserved her experimental haircuts for her daughters, including a perm for Danissa at the age of four, bangs for Maria Jose when the request was, "anything but bangs," and a hairstyle for Jesse that looked like she placed a bowl over Jesse's head. At its heart, "Avila's Beauty Salon" was actually a warm and joyful community gathering place. Thanks to her bright and vibrant personality, it became a place that started many lifelong friendships and relationships that hold strong to this very day.

In her later years, Maria had the misfortune of developing kidney failure and eventually needed bi-weekly dialysis. Despite these arduous circumstances, Maria never let it get her down as she persevered with the joys of life, most notably preparing and enjoying tasty Ecuadorian dishes and enjoying the company of friends and family.

She would never pass up a chance to attend a good party. Whether in a wheelchair or tired from dialysis, she was still the life of the party and the center of attention. Instead of choosing the life of a victim, she chose the life of a survivor. Her strength, her passion for life, and the love for her children and grandchildren, continue to live, thrive, and flourish today, and will live on for generations to come.

Donations for her funeral expenses can be made through the GoFundMe page.