Born on September 4, 1938, in Sonora, Arizona, to David and Herminia Berlanga, Maria grew up in Commerce, California, alongside her siblings, Roque and Dora. Her life was a testament to selflessness and service, both as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and as a dedicated nurse.
Maria worked tirelessly throughout her career in healthcare, serving at various hospitals, clinics and correctional facilities in California and Arizona. Her commitment to care extended to the Navajo Nation, where she spent years working in medical facilities on the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona. Maria’s compassion and dedication touched countless lives, making her a beacon of comfort and support to those in need.
Maria’s devotion to education and personal growth inspired her to pursue higher learning, earning her Master’s Degree at Northern Arizona University (NAU). While living in Flagstaff, she and her late husband, Richard Miller, who passed away in 2018, raised their two sons, David and Billy.
Maria is remembered with love by her sons, David and Billy; her daughters-in-law, Sandi and Libby; her grandchildren, Mabel, Kaira, Clara and Cade; and a large circle of family and friends. She was a woman of great Catholic faith, warmth and generosity, as well as a dedicated Arizona Cardinals fan, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, care and a passion for life that will endure in the hearts of all who knew her.
Services will be Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at San Francisco De Asis Catholic Church, 1600 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ. Rosary begins at 10 a.m., mass at 10:30 a.m., with conclusion of services at Calvary Cemetery (St. Joseph Niche). Family, friends and all who wish to honor Maria's remarkable life are warmly invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria’s memory to a charity of your choice, reflecting her lifelong spirit of generosity.
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