Maria Fernandez

Maria Luisa Fernandez, affectionately known as Maruca, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Wednesday, April 4, 2012, one month to the day of turning one hundred.

Maruca was born on May 4, 1912, in Brownsville, Texas, the eldest and only daughter to Manuela and Jose Fernandez. Orphaned at a young age, she and her siblings, Ramon, Luis, Alfonso and Cornelio, were raised by family. She deeply devoted her youth to the care of her brothers including a primohermano, Luis Valdez, as they regarded her as a mother. She sacrificed her education to work to help family. Maruca later married and was left to then care for her precious own children, Yolanda and Ricardo. She too, had her hand in raising each of her grandchildren, all her pride and joy. She lived to work for her family. Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

Maruca passionately shared her struggles and sacrifices, encouraging all who listened especially the neighborhood children of Western Boulecard that an education was a necessity. She was equally passionate about the kitchen, preparing everyones antojitos by memory with her strong hands and giving heart. It wasnt until later in her years, a more tranquil time, did she spend it in the things she enjoyed playing chalupa and tending to her garden. Undeniably, Maruca was a strong woman with a firm hand and deep faith which did not keep her from acquiring a taste for certain weaknesses sweet bread, ice cream and orange slices.

Maruca was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers as well as by her greatgranddaughter, Janelle Cuellar soninlaw, Kenneth Syverson and her granddaughter, Beverly Lynn Syverson.

She is survived by her daughter, Yolanda Syverson Margenaou, as well as her son, Ricardo Lizardi, Jr. and daughterinlaw, Sandra A. Lizardi. She is also survived by her two grandsons, Mike Cortez Sadie Cortez and Israel Lizardi, and her two granddaughters, Graciela West Wesley West and Cynthia Lizardi Burlette as well as many beloved greatgrandchildren and greatgreatgrandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Lorenzo Pelly and Dr. Joey A. Ugalino for their dedicated efforts and the caregivers of Valley Grande Manor for their loving care of Maruca.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Josephs Catholic Church, 555 W. Saint Francis Street, in Brownsville.

You may send your condolences to the Fernandez family online to www.trevinofuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Trevino Funeral Home, 1355 Old Port Isabel Rd., Brownsville, Texas 9565422583.

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