Rita Macias Luera

Rita Macias Luera, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on June 27th, 2025. Born in Yakima, WA on August 14th, 1941, to her parents Juan (John) and Maria Macias, Rita lived a life defined by love, generosity, and in a foundation of faith.

Rita was an agricultural worker who labored with dedication and pride. Though her hands were weathered from work, they were also the hands that comforted, nurtured, and cooked for countless people. She was the cornerstone of our family—always giving, loving, and welcoming to anyone who walked through her door.

She was a mother figure to many, raising not only her own children but also extending her warmth and care to others. Rita lived by a different set of values—ones rooted in selflessness, humility, and faith. She gave all she could, often from what little she had, with no expectation of anything in return. She never worried, as she believed that God would always provide.

Rita will be especially remembered for her extraordinary cooking. She had a gift for turning the simplest ingredients into a delicious, comforting meal. Her homemade tortillas and legendary potatoes were staples at every gathering, nourishing both body and soul. To be in Rita’s kitchen was to feel at home.

Her legacy lives on through the deep love she instilled in her family and in the lives she touched. She is preceded in death by her parents Juan & Maria Macias, her spouse Cliff Luera, her siblings Robert, Jesse, and Rudy Macias, and Dolores Muñoz, her nieces Anna Osorio and Patricia Thomas, and nephews Mike and Richard Macias, her great niece Nicole Marquez and great nephews Jesse Marquez and Andrew Ocampo.

Rita is survived by her children Robert Sandoval, Angelina and John Espinoza, John Macias, and Angelica Luera, Anastasia and John Sanchez, Clifford, Joseph, Margaret, Edward, Danny, Ruben and Mary Luera, Rebecca and Marv Meyers, Fred and Sharon, Teresa, Romona, and David Sandoval, Mary Pacheco, Elizabeth and Brad Forney.

In addition to her children, Rita is survived by generations of grandchildren André Espinoza and Morgan Gillet, Kimmy and Richard Hayland, Erica and Jed Tait, Christopher Ramirez and Jamie Lovstorm and Jacob Luera, Jay, Daniel and Collien and Anne Marie Sanchez, Louis and Patrick Gallegos, and Elizabeth Camarillo, Vickie Williams, Jennifer Rodriguez, Robert, Angela, Anthony and Theodore Sandoval, Lee Meyers and Camille Meyers, Clifford S Luera III, Christina Luera, Jeremy Maine, Mary Seaward, George Jr. and Mandy Garcia , Norma, Anastasia, Juan and Tanya Garcia, Natalia and Elizabeth Luera, Dolores and Paul Marquez, Stephanie and David Jr. Sandoval.

Also, her great-grandchildren Haillie and Penelope Espinoza and Amaya Cuevas, Janiya Tait. Juan Manuel Jr., Alicia and Andres Garcia. Jayden, Natalia, Jason, Isaiah, and Alejandro Sanchez, Santiago, and Jesse Camarillo, Olivia and Theon Alvarado, Bo and Brooke Gallegos, Christian and Alex Sandoval. Felicia, Jose, Leticia, Mariana, Brisa and Seferina Marquez, Priscilla Abeyxada and Isaac Marquez, Angelica and Jesse Jones, Abby Montiel, Carolina Sandoval Coronado, Emmie, Lexie, Veronica, and Theodore Jr. Sandoval. George lll, Jose, Samantha, Imari and Adeena Garcia. Jaime Jr., Aishah, Edward, Rolando Covarrubias. Amadeus, Dora and Natalia Garcia. Asensia Esperanza, Andrew Jr., Andres Ocampo. Reina Guerrero, Manuel Edwardo, Santana, Lorane Ramirez Samantha and Tino Williams.

Additionally, her great-great-grandchildren Eric, Joel, Isai, and Ceclia Herrera, and Julian Sanchez. Benicio Sandoval and Gabriel Carralez and Ahtrell Garcia. Azeriah, Delina, Jeremiah, Anakin, Alexander Axel Jonathan, Lola Marquez.

Rita’s unwavering love, unmatched generosity, and signature meals will never be forgotten. Her spirit lives on in every story told around the kitchen table, every tortilla flipped, and every act of kindness shared.

Viewing will be on July 9th, 4-pm and the rosary after starting at 5:30pm at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. A family service will be held to honor her life on July 10, 2025 from 10 am at St. Joe Church (212 North 4h St. Yakima, WA), and a family gathering will follow at Keith & Keith Funeral Home at 12 pm.