Maria Luisa Santoveña

Maria Luisa Santoveña passed away at her daughter’s home in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 21, 2024, at the age of 93. She was born in El Salvador on May 12, 1931. She lived her younger years in La Ceiba, Honduras and then in 1953 moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. She had three children and enjoyed a full life. She was a devoted Catholic and worked over 30 years at Pan-American Life Insurance Company.

Throughout her life she enjoyed raising her children, sewing, tending to her famous African violets, listening to music, looking at nature unfold, spending time with her grandchildren and especially manifesting her love through her cooking. You knew her if you drank her cafecito, ate her banana bread, enjoyed her arroz con pollo or just a loving glass of water. Maria was the personification of love.

She is survived by her ex-husband, Victor Agurcia and their children, Bryan Agurcia, Lisette Salinas (Tom) and Carolyn Agurcia-Parker (Chris), six grandchildren: Kristen Coleman (Nick), Caitlyn Salinas, Lo Salinas, Emilio Parker, Sayen Agurcia & Sofia Parker and many extended family and friends. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel Santoveña and Carlota Zuniga; and her brothers, Manuel and Roberto Santoveña.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Mayo Clinic Hospice Rochester for their guidance and compassion in the final months of her life journey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11 AM. Visitation will begin at 9 AM. After the Mass, Maria will be laid to rest in Lake Lawn Park alongside her mother for eternity.

Maria had immense compassion for children, especially those with medical needs. Thus, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or buying an African violet and caring for it for decades.”