Ana Maria Pena

Ana Maria Peña, born Ana Maria Alardin, age 74, passed away peacefully at her home in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on May 5, 1951, in Laredo, Texas, to Julia M. Alardin and Leopoldo Alardin.

Ana Maria spent much of her life between Laredo and San Antonio, where she became known to those around her for her beauty, kindness, creativity, and quiet strength. She had a natural way of caring for others and spent much of her life serving people both in her work and in her everyday life.

One of the most meaningful chapters of her life began when she volunteered as a candy striper at the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center in Laredo, TX. It was there that she met the love of her life, Guadalupe J. Peña, beginning a partnership that would grow into a lifetime of family, love, and shared memories. She also gave back to her community through volunteer work in more ways than one including as a crisis hotline responder; she was always willing to help those in need.

Ana Maria was deeply creative and innovative. She expressed her heart through art, finding joy in painting with acrylic, watercolor, and oil pastels, crocheting, and sewing. Her hands were rarely still, and her creativity brought beauty into the lives of those around her. She loved to dance and treasured the moments spent laughing and sharing time with friends and family.

More than anything, Ana Maria’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a caring sister and friend. She had a nurturing spirit and a generous heart, always ready to offer comfort, encouragement, or a warm smile.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Julia M. Alardin and Leopoldo Alardin, and her brothers Leopoldo Alardin Jr., Mario Alberto Alardin, and Ismael Luis Alardin.

She leaves behind a family who will forever carry her love in their hearts: her beloved husband, Guadalupe J. Peña; her children Patricia Ann Rogers, Rebecca Ann Martinez (Gustavo Martinez), Guadalupe J. Peña Jr. (Alicia Peña), and Cordelia Ann Sandoval (Kevin Richey); her siblings Victor Alardin, Norma Aguirre (Melchor “Chale” Aguirre), Martha Aguilar (Javier Aguilar), Federico Alardin (Susan Alardin), and Jose Alardin (Leticia Alardin); as well as 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who were blessed to know her love and who always brought her incredible joy.

Those who knew Ana Maria will remember the warmth she brought into every room, her gentle spirit, her creativity, and her deep love for the people in her life. She was, in every sense, a source of goodness to those around her.

Her life was a reflection of love, service, and devotion to family. Though she is no longer with us, the beauty she created and the love she gave will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. We are now left with grief over a space left behind which was once so lovingly filled by Ana Maria and what is grief if not simply overwhelming love with no place to go. But take heart, friends and family, in knowing that she now dances in the shining light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through whom there are no goodbyes.

She will be, and is already, so deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

In lieu of floral arrangements to please send donations to St.Judes Childrens Hospital