Maria Rosa Alvarez

Maria Rosa (Rosie) Alvarez passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on January 15, 2026, in El Paso, Texas, surrounded by family. She is survived by her children, Antonio Alvarez and Rosa Imelda Santos (husband, Joseph Ignacio Santos). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Ricardo Antonio Alvarez Orozco, Gerardo Alvarez Trejo, Christopher William Santos (husband, Bernardo Morales), and Amanda Victoria Santos, as well as her adopted grandson, Alejandro Escarcega.

An immigrant by birth and a United States citizen by choice, Maria Rosa embodied the courage to begin again and the grace to belong. Born in Cañitas de Felipe Pescador, Zacatecas, Mexico she eventually made El Paso her home as a teenager. She began working as a live in housekeeper and nanny for a loving Jewish family who helped her obtain her U.S. work visa and encouraged her to pursue work that would allow for continued growth and prosperity.

She soon found employment at the Tex Togs factory in downtown El Paso, which produced Levi Strauss products. After thirty years she retired from Tex Togs as a supervisor and a few years later she purchased a small grocery store on Octavia St. near her home on Wyoming St. She became the “store owner around the corner,” allowing neighbors to buy groceries on credit when money was tight. No one was ever denied a dozen eggs or a loaf of bread on her watch. That tiny little store also served as her granddaughter’s daycare during the first few months of her life. Coca-Cola and Little Debbie truck drivers would stop in and ask, “¿Cómo está la güerita?”

Maria Rosa was a homemaker, she loved the garden and loved to crochet. She absolutely loved family gatherings where she would reminisce over treasured moments with her children and grandchildren. Her real passion was cooking for her family (buñuelos, tamales, menudo). One thing she would always do before you left her was make a cross over your body and say “Dios te bendiga” (God Bless You). A blessing from her always made you feel safe.

Her love of family and her faith in God were unshakable. She and her husband, Ricardo Quiñones Alvarez (deceased), cared not only for their children but also for her mother, grandmother, and special needs aunt until their passing. She held the hands of many loved ones at the hour of their death, and it was a profound blessing that her entire family was present when she herself passed.

Her faith sustained her throughout her life. When Maria Rosa said she would pray for you, your name was placed on a handwritten list, and she would pray a rosary for you every night. She was a devoted member of La Adoración Nocturna (the Nocturnal Adoration Society of El Paso), a devotional practice in which members gather at night to pray in adoration of Jesus present in the Eucharist. Even when her body grew too weak to attend in person, members of the society would call her, and she would pray in communion with them from her home.

As the backbone of the family, Maria Rosa will forever be remembered for her kindness, unwavering integrity, and the love she freely gave to all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by family and friends alike. From now and till forever we will miss you every day but especially during Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations. Rest in Peace and God bless Maria Rosa Alvarez Rodarte.

Visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a rosary at 7:00 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79903. Funeral mass will be Friday, February 20th at 9:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3729 Hueco Ave, El Paso, Texas 79903 with committal to follow in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave. El Paso, Texas 79906.