Maria Elena Vilches

Maria Elena Vilches (nee Benitez) was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who passed away on June 19, 2026 at age 94 in Aurora, Colorado.

She was born to Antonio and Josefina Benitez in Havana, Cuba on September 20, 1931. She met and married Ramon Vilches on January 15, 1955. Together they had three children: Maria, Ramon, and Carlos. The family emigrated to the U.S. in 1962, where they made their home in the Denver area in Colorado.

Maria and Ramon were hard-working people, doing their best to create a safe and loving environment for their children and other family members. Maria enjoyed her job, along with cooking, gardening, sewing, and reading. She was generous in sharing her expertise with others. As a mother of teenage children, she attended evening classes at Regis University in Denver, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, a proud achievement.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Antonio Benitez; her husband, Ramon; and her son, Ramon. She is survived by her daughter, Maria Smith (Ron); her son, Carlos Vilches

(Isis Quesada); her grandchildren, Samuel Smith (Brynne); Daniel Smith (Liza); and Andrew Smith; as well as her great-grandchildren: Jacob and Nathan (Samuel); Jasmine, Jacen (Kirstyn), and Jesse (Daniel); Elijah (Sydney), Hannah, Madelynne, Benjamin, and Silas (Andrew); and and two great-great-grandchildren, Zealin (Jacen) and Esmae (Elijah).

Services will be held at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South Funeral Home and Cemetery. Services are currently pending.