Maria Cleofas Renteria

Maria, a loving aunt, a kind and generous women, and a devout Catholic died the evening of June 9th at the age of 99. She was born on February 12, 1917 in Mission, TX to Gilberto Renteria and Josefa Espericueta Renteria. A pioneer family of the lower Rio Grande Valley. She grew up attending Catholic School, and was a member of the Asociacion Hijas De Maria. During her younger years, she played the violin with a local group, Banda Don Gil, whose mission was to raise funds for the local Catholic Church. As she grew older she co-owned and worked in the family's Grocery store, floral shop and a Nursery. In 1952 Maria relocated to California, first living in Los Angeles and then the San Fernando Valley. In 1972 she relocated to Tucson along with her extended family, although Maria lived in a number of places she never forgot her roots and held Mission, TX in a special place in her heart. Maria traveled to many states, Mexico and Canada. Among her interests were cake decorating, baking, sewing and swimming. Maria is survived by nieces Josefa, Carmen and Dolores Renteria; Maria E. Renteria-Villa (Jose Villa), and Gloria Griffith (Richard) of WA; nephews Jesse Renteria, Gilbert Renteria (Becky) and Paul Renteria. Also survived by ten great nieces and nephews and one great-great niece. Maria was predeceased by parents Gilberto and Josefa E. Renteria, Sisters Dominga Renteria and Bertha Gonzalez (D.Jaime), Brother Jesus Renteria (D. Guadalupe), and nephew Jaime Gonzalez (widow Suzanne Schoch). The family thanks God for the very long and healthy life she was given. The family also thanks caregivers Centhea Aguilar, Olga Angulo and Cristina Rodriguez. Maria was laid to rest on June 17th, 2016 at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson, AZ.

FAREWELL KIND AND GENTLE SOUL

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel, Tucson, AZ.