Maria Cecilia Molina

(Also known by Mama, mamá, Mom, Ma, Mima, Nana, Nana Cia, Nana Orange, Cecy, Maria, and Cecilia)

1930 – 2026

Maria Cecilia Molina was born in 1930 in Vícam, Sonora, Mexico. Growing up on a ranch, Cecilia loved watching her father, and the way he cared for and trained his horses. Those memories, along with the close bond she shared with her nana, stayed with her all her life. At just sixteen years old, she made the brave decision to leave her nana, her father, and the only home she has ever known to move to the United States. That incredible sacrifice so many years ago laid the foundation for the life her family knows today, giving five generations of her family endless opportunities. She was deeply proud of where she came from, speaking Spanish and Yaqui fluently, along with conversational English. Though Mexico was her birthplace, she loved America just as deeply. She held immense respect for both nations, proudly honoring her roots while praying faithfully not only for her son and grandson who served, but also for all American soldiers, and the country that became her home. Through all of life's changes, she carried a deep faith, and every single night, she took time to pray, sending her love and blessings out to all her family and friends.

Cecilia loved getting dolled up, wearing her favorite frilly flower dresses, doing her hair and makeup, wearing earrings to complete her outfit, and having any reason to celebrate. Purple was her absolute signature color, and she always had to have something purple on, whether it was a dress, a cardigan, or her favorite robe. She loved losing herself in a good book, whether it was the Bible, poetry, or fiction. Her house was always filled with music, from mariachi, norteño music, and Los Tucanes de Tijuana to Pedro Infante, Billie Holiday, and Perry Como. She found today's technology absolutely fascinating and adored her Alexa, especially loving that she could talk to it in Spanish and have it play all her favorite songs whenever she wanted.

She was also a huge fan of WWE wrestling and NFL football, especially her Green Bay Packers. She would check the schedules to make sure she didn't miss a game, and if you called her while she was watching, you knew you would have to wait for her to call you right back.

Above all, Cecilia lived for her loved ones. She loved family parties so much that as soon as one ended, she was already asking when the next one would be. She also loved when her kids, grandkids, and friends came over to visit. She wanted to know everything about what everyone was up to, like their work, their travels, their hobbies, or just everyday life, and she took so much joy in proudly sharing her family's accomplishments and happiness with anyone she talked to.

Her heart for animals was just as pure. She truly saw her family's pets as her own family, always asking about them and doing check-ins with them as if they were her grandkids. She made special meals not only for her own pets, but for any strays that happened to hang around her house. Cecilia said they too were souls created by God, and she found beauty and love in that.

Then there was her cooking and her favorite simple pleasures, which everyone knew her for. She could happily eat beans with every single meal and drank endless cups of coffee throughout the day. Her homemade tortillas were something people actually fought over, and tamale and menudo season was something the whole family looked forward to year-round. Her grandchildren especially loved her chicken mole, ground beef tacos, and capirotada. If you stopped by unexpectedly, she immediately started whipping up something special, and telling her no was never an option; you just had to let her win. If anyone had food allergies or preferences, she never judged, always finding a way to alter her recipes so nobody was ever left behind. She always knew how to make you feel loved.

She also had a major sweet tooth, especially for chocolate. Over the years, whenever someone brought over a homemade chocolate treat, she would try to sneak some away. She might have thought she was being secretive, but everyone loved watching her slip that container into her room to save for a later time.

While we all miss her terribly, we find comfort knowing she is now resting in eternal peace, wrapped in the Lord's arms and reunited with her true love, Manuel Sanchez, finally with him once again. She was also welcomed at heaven’s gates by many, including her cherished animals, her father Juan Jesus Matuz, her nana Josefa, her beloved daughters Aurelia and Cruz, her son-in-law Phil, her daughter-in-law Lupe, and her cherished grandsons Raymond and Anthony.

Cecilia’s warmth and legacy live on through the huge, devoted family she built together with those who survived her.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Macaria, Joe, Dolores "Lola", Armando, Bertha, and Johnny.

She is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Joe Jr.; Celia and her husband Paco; Juan; Jesus and his wife Yuvi; Luis and his wife Lendeza; Joseph; Leyla and her husband Matt; Jesus; Stevie; Tommy; Manuel “Gordo”; Dolores “Gorda”; and Juan and his wife Korinne.

Her memory continues through her great-grandchildren and their spouses: Letti and her husband Anthony; PJ; Jonah; Celestina and her husband Arturo; Joel; Tommy Jr.; Andrew; Lazarous; Dominick; Victoria; Mark; Gabriel; and Mateo.

She is also blessed with her great-great-grandchildren: Giovani, as well as Andrew’s two children.

Seeing her family continue on would have meant everything to her. When the movie Coco came out in theaters, she went to see it and fell in love with how it celebrated family and holding onto those we love. The film's gentle reminder that "our memories have to be passed down by those who knew us in life" fits her legacy so well, beautifully matching the words of its sweet song: "Remember me, though I have to say goodbye...for even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart." Cecilia’s warmth, her infectious laugh, and her endless love will be missed more than words can

say, but she will always be right there with us in every story we tell, every cup of coffee we pour, and every time the family gets together.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria del Angel South Lawn, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706, US, on October 26, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and again on October 27, 2026, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 602 W Ajo Wy, Tucson, AZ 85713, US, on October 27, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, followed by a Graveside Service at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 S Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706, US, on October 27, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.