Maria Zavala Sella

Maria Zavala Sella, age 91, of Tuscaloosa, died Jan. 19, 2013, at DCH Regional Medical Center. A memorial Mass will be held 12 noon Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at St. Francis University Church. Her ashes will be placed in the columbarium at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tuscaloosa at a later date. Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is in charge of arrangements.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leobino and Guadalupe Zavala; her brothers, Leobino Zavala Jr., Jorge Zavala, and Jose Zavala; and her sisters, Guadalupe Zavala, Teresa Zavala, and Lecha Zavala.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Alvin Conrad Sella; their three sons, David Anthony Sella (Karen Lawson), Alvin Michael Sella (Mary Lyle), and Nicholas Eugene Sella (Mary Alves); two grandchildren, Nicholas Eugene Sella Jr. and Anna Kathryn Sella; her brother, Roberto Zavala; her sister, Elena Zavala Campos; and many nieces and nephews.

Maria was born on April 20, 1921, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she met her husband. After being married in San Miguel on April 15, 1947, at the Church of St. Francis, they moved to her husband's home in New Jersey and then to Bristol, Virginia. In 1960, her husband joined the Art Department faculty at The University of Alabama and they have resided in Tuscaloosa since that time. Maria was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. A devout Roman Catholic, Maria attended St. Francis University Church and was an active member of the St. Ann's Guild at Holy Spirit Church for many years. Maria's appreciation for the beauty of God's creation was reflected in her love of flower gardening. She was also an accomplished quilter and longtime member of the West Alabama Quilters Guild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the building fund at St. Francis University Church in Tuscaloosa for the church or the student center. Donations may be sent to St. Francis University Church, 811 5th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Donations may also be made to the Alvin C. Sella and Joseph Sella Endowed Scholarship fund at The University of Alabama.