Maria Estela Peña

Maria Estela Peña was born Maria Estela Meza Chavez on January 30, 1963, in Durango, Mexico. Maria's life was filled with love, laughter, and compassion, and she touched the hearts of all who knew her. She peacefully passed away on April 15, 2024, at Kansas City Hospice House, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished.

Maria faced the unrelenting challenge of cancer and she fought with unparalleled strength and courage, showing us the true meaning of resilience and determination.

Maria was the beloved daughter of Abel Meza-Rivera and Elisa Chavez Ortiz, who preceded her in death. Their loving guidance and nurturing spirit will forever remain in her heart. Maria is survived by her husband, Antonio Peña. Their union was celebrated on June 3, 1995, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, and they recently marked 28 years of marriage last summer.

Maria’s love extended beyond her marriage, as she loved her children deeply. She leaves behind her son, Julio Calzada, and his wife Diana, as well as her daughter, Norma Farias, and her husband Alex. Maria found joy and pride in their accomplishments and treasured every moment spent with them. Maria was a devoted grandmother to Erica Zamarripa-Calzada, Carlos Calzada, Carlos Ortega, Javier Reyes, Mailyn Reyes, Alex Farias, and Josephine Farias.

Family was at the core of Maria’s life. She is survived by her siblings who played a significant role in Maria’s life, and she leaves behind precious memories with each of them: Baltazar Meza (Mayela), Manuel Meza (Irma), Leticia Lopez (Marc), Patty Meza, Jorge Meza (Elisa), Jaime Meza (Biviana), Amparo Meza-Fortner (Russell), Veronica Meza Arellano (Tony) and Robert Meza.

Maria's passion for learning was exceptional from a young age. She attended Escuela Primaria Fanny Anitua in Durango, México. She continued her studies at Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Industrial, where she completed her 6th to 9th grade education. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, where she completed her high school education and obtained her Bachillerato en Enfermería (Bachelor's Degree in Nursing) at Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades.

Maria's dedication to the Nursing profession led her to further her studies. She attended Kansas City Kansas Community College, where she pursued Liberal Arts in Science, Math, and earned an Associate Degree in Nursing between 1982 and 1986. She continued her education at The University of Kansas School of Nursing, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from 1998 to 2001. She pursued and completed her Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Kansas School of Nursing between 2002 and 2005. In 2011, Maria achieved the esteemed honor of becoming a Board-Certified Nurse Executive, further solidifying her expertise in the field. Maria's educational journey equipped her with knowledge, compassion, and a desire to serve others.

Maria's professional journey was marked by her unwavering commitment to the medical field and was marked by years of tireless service. She dedicated twenty-eight remarkable years to The University of Kansas Health System, where she made a lasting impact in the Burnett Burn Center. Her devotion and compassion earned her the esteemed Heart of Healthcare Award, awarded by the Kansas University School of Nursing. For fifteen years, she served as a Nurse Manager, exhibiting exceptional leadership skills and guiding her team with grace. Maria dedicated thirty years of her life to this institution, pouring her heart and soul into providing compassionate leadership and care to her colleagues and patients. In 2017, she transitioned to Shawnee Gardens, Recover Care, continuing to touch the lives of those in her care until her retirement in May 2022 and she concluded her illustrious career as the Director of Nursing.

Maria's impact on the lives she touched extended far beyond her professional career. She approached every interaction with kindness, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a difference. Maria's warm smile and gentle nature brought comfort to those around her, uplifting their spirits during challenging times. She will be remembered as a beacon of hope and a source of strength. Maria will be remembered for her selfless contributions and the love she poured into everything she did. She was an exceptional woman, a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a proud grandmother. Her impact on the lives of those around her will forever be felt.

May her soul find eternal peace, and may her memory be a guiding light for all who loved her.

Memorial and funeral services to honor Maria's life will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects and offer their condolences during this difficult time.

A visitation for Maria will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, from 6-8 PM with a Celebration of Life at 7 PM; Chapel Hill - Butler Funeral Home, (701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112).

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, April 27, 2024, 10:30 AM at St Patrick's Catholic Church (1086 N 94th St, Kansas City, KS 66111). Committal services will follow mass in Chapel Hill - Butler Memorial Gardens (701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112).

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to KU Endowment (3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160), to benefit the KU School of Nursing.

Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give.

Please indicate that donations are for the Marie Pena memorial.

Serving as pallbearers are Anthony Arellano, III, Carlos Armando Ortega, Carlos Cesar Calzada, Dominique Michael Gallardo, Jesse Anthony Lopez, II, Jorge Jesus Meza, and Marcos Adrian Meza.