Maria Rita Monarez

Maria Rita Monarez, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, passed peacefully with her family at her side on April 15, 2025. A force of nature whose personality took over a room with love and conversation, Rita was raised on a small family farm in San Foca, Italy. It was there she met her husband and lifelong love, Esequiel “Kelito”, while he was stationed at Aviano Air Force Base. They married on December 2, 1962, in San Foca, San Quirino, and shared 58 years of love, laughter, family and dance.

As a proud military spouse, Maria lived in Italy, Spain, and Arizona, before settling in El Paso, Texas, to raise their four children. She was a devoted wife and mother and managed the Dunkin Donuts on Lee Treviño for many years. She volunteered as a chaperone for the Shriners of El Paso, transporting young burn victims from the area to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston. She also opened her home to foreign exchange students from various countries to attend high school in El Paso.

A lifelong sports fan, Rita was a founding member of the El Paso Diabolo’s “Muser Fannies.” She was an avid bowler and part of the Freeway Lanes Women’s Bowling Association. She proudly supported "The Baby" (Patrick Mahomes), "El Taliban" (James Harden), and never missed a chance to root against "El Cheater" (Tom Brady) and “El Chiple” (LeBron James).

After retiring, Maria dedicated her time to helping raise her eight grandchildren. She was known for her generous spirit, cooking skills, and making everyone feel like family. Her home was always open to all, with an uncorked bottle of wine, some cheese, and a home-cooked meal.

Rita never met a stranger and always brought people together—with conversation, food, music, dancing, and love. She could be found striking turkeys at the bowling lanes, dancing with joy, and cheering on her favorite teams—especially the Italian national soccer team. She was our family’s heart, a true matriarch, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her including numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband Esequiel, brother Derio DeBortoli and daughter Paula Monarez-Diaz (Julio).

She is survived by her brothers (Paulo and Daniele), children (Sabrina, Eduardo (Susan), and Robert (Lisa)), eight grandchildren (Joshua (Savannah), Gianni, Matthew, Giancarlo, Jacob, Joseph, Isabella, and Alejandro) and two great-grandchildren (Jasper and Maisy).