Maria D. Cardenas

Maria De La Luz Cardenas, a strong and selfless woman who devoted her life to her family and faith, entered into the loving arms of Our Lord on June 21, 2025, at the age of 81. She was born in San Antonio, Texas, on December 9, 1943. Maria was a beacon of quiet strength, resilience, and grace whose legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Born the middle child of seven siblings, Maria was raised with the values of hard work and deep family devotion. At a young age, she left school in the sixth grade to help care for her grandmother—a sacrifice that set the tone for the rest of her life. Years later, she met her husband, and together they welcomed four children. As migrant workers, they traveled through California, Florida, and Georgia, working tirelessly to provide for their growing family until 1969, after the birth of their youngest child. Though her marriage eventually ended, Maria never stopped giving her all. She worked incredibly hard to raise her children alone as a single mother, doing everything she could to provide for them. With grit and love, she settled in San Antonio with her extended family, where she found steady work in the janitorial services at Tex Ace, dedicating nearly 20 years of her life to the job.

Maria was a faithful Catholic who found strength in her beliefs and joy in her traditions. She had a gift for making incredible salsas by hand in her molcajete, filling her home with flavor and warmth. Whether it was through food, a warm hug, or her radiant, contagious smile, Maria had a way of making everyone feel loved.

Maria loved to dance, especially to Cumbias. She was always the first on the dance floor when the music started, swaying with joy and spirit. Her laughter was infectious, her presence comforting, and her love for her family unwavering. Through hardship and sacrifice, she never lost her sense of humor or her ability to give to others.

Maria will be reunited in heaven with her parents, Maria Lucia and Prudencio L. Delgado; siblings, Carlos Delgado, Lorenzo Delgado, Enrique Delgado, and Theresa Guajardo.

Her memory will forever live in her loving children, Leticia Cardenas (Rick), Gabriel Cardenas, Jesse Cardenas, and Robert Cardenas (Adela); grandchildren, Jason Cardenas (Norma), Aaron Cardenas, Brandon Cardenas, Victoria Zamora, Destinee Flores, Amanda Chavez (Luis), Lauren Siling (Russell), Jessica Cardenas, Nathan Cardenas, and Cystal Cardenas. Great-grandchildren, Jaythan Cardenas, Dayvin Cardenas, Olyviah Cardenas, Esme Siling, Eve Siling, Andrew Chavez, Julian Cardenas, and Laila Rodriguez; siblings, Elena Hinojosa and Felicitas Castillo. She will also be remembered by all her extended family and friends; her legacy is one of perseverance, generosity, and deep devotion.

A visitation for Maria will be held Monday, June 30, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home with a Holy Rosary starting at 7:00 PM. A mass of the resurrection will occur Tuesday, July 1, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception, with the services concluding after the mass.