Maria Villalva was born on January 01, 1930 in El Paso, Texas. Maria was called home to the arms of our Lord and Savior on December 08, 2021. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith and her trust and belief in our Lord is what carried her through her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Jose and Carlota Diaz; her brothers, Jose (Pepe) Villalva, Raul (Ruly) Diaz, Alfonso (Poncho) Diaz, and also her great grandson Steven (Alex) Sherwood.
Maria is survived by her daughters and spouses: Mary Heifner (Joe) of Racine, WI; Consuelo Schooley (Jack) of Arlington, TX; and Cecilia Griffin (David) of Carrollton, TX. She also leaves behind her sister Leticia Hernandez of El Paso, TX and sister-in-law Rosie Diaz of San Elizario, TX; Grandchildren; Mark Heifner, Christopher Kinsel, Kathy Kinsel-Sherwood, Rachel Martinez, Mia Griffin, James Griffin, and Bradley Schooley; six great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Maria was a dedicated single mom providing for her family at the former manufacturing Company Hicks & Ponder for 35 years. She was able to secure a line of credit in a time when single mothers were not afforded such privileges. She used this opportunity to purchase a permanent home for her family. After her retirement, she went on to persue her high school diploma at about 70 years young. She then also began her service in volunteer work. Maria dedicated over 25 years of service to the Foster Grandparent Program. She became an integral part of the program and to the schools and facilities she served. Maria was granted several prestigious awards for her years of service and was named Volunteer of the Year, several times. Through her service, she became a grandparent to every child, parent, and teacher she was blessed to work with until her final retirement in 2019, at the age of 89.
In 2019,she moved to Arlington, TX to spend her final years close to family. Maria was a steward of God, a model of service and a Grandma to all. She was the very core of her family. A true matriarch. She never let a need go unmet or a loved one unrecognized. She served her family, community, and her Lord God.
In her 91 years here on Earth her presence was a welcomed and loved one. In the days that follow her passing, her family works to process the void she leaves behind and to carry on her legacy of love and service. She will be greatly missed.
Visitation: 6 pm to 8 pm, Friday, December 17, 2021 at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, TX 76016. Service: 11:00 am, Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 500 E. Dallas St., Mansfield, TX 76063.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
