Maria Macias-Monreal

Maria “Mariquita” Luisa Macias de Monreal, age 67, passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024 in Yuma, Az. She was born June 30th, 1956 in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, to Maria Natividad Macias✝ and Luis Macias✝.

Maria emigrated with her family from Mexico to the United States in the spring of ‘64. The family moved to a company ranch in Somerton Valley, where Maria enjoyed the freedom of the open space in nature for 4 years before moving into town in ‘69, where she attended O.L. Carlisle Elementary School. Maria attended Kofa High School and participated in Future Business Leaders of America and graduated class of 1976. She followed her knack with numbers and finance in college, where she took business classes at AWC, and eventually worked as a loan officer at Bank One in San Luis, AZ.

Maria married the love of her life, Luis Monreal, on February 6, 1993 in Somerton, AZ. They moved to Moreno Valley, California, where she worked as a secretary for Colton Unified School District, until her retirement on her birthday in 2018, and subsequently moved back to Yuma.

Maria was the avid baker in the family, she loved baking and decorating cakes for her friends and family. She would create elaborate cakes for every major family event and for weddings, utilizing her extensive collection of cake pans, molds, frostings, and decorating tips. She also loved to crochet and would often gift handmade blankets to her friends and family. She was like the ambassador of the family, often traveling to visit distant relatives in Mexico and all over California and would make a point to maintain connections and never forget her roots.

Maria is survived by her husband, Luis Monreal; step-children, German, Luis, Wilbert; sisters; Alicia (Leonardo) Montoya, Angelina Macias Pulido, Martha (Tim✝) Boystum; brothers, Herminio (Rosa) Macias, Jose (Lourdes) Macias; and beloved by many grand-children, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded by her baby Alejandra✝, born sleeping in 1994.