I was fortunate to have the chance to work with Maria.  She was such a kind, genuine person.  She could make you laugh and had a wonderful sense of humor.  She was hard working and a good friend.  My heart goes out to her family.  

June 16th 2022, in Dallas Tx. posing by the “Spirit of Communication “.  We were there helping my daughter look for an apartment before her move to Dallas in July.

My thoughts are with you all. I had the pleasure of working with Maria many years ago and ran into her a few years back.  So lovely and what a sense of humor.  She will be missed by memory but her beautiful spirit lives through all she touched and in those she loved.  love and peace to all.

Lupe and I send our love and care to you Pat and your precious children. Maria's spirit lives on through the lives she touched. She is a true daughter of the Westside representing the best and richness of a tight-knit community now dimmed by her passing yet brighter by her entry to heaven. The pain of her physical absence will fade in due time as faith has eyes that see her presence nonetheless and ears that listen to her voice still speaking to your heart. She now lives in an alternate universe yet still connected to your lives now and forever. Thank you for sharing some pictures capturing snapshots of your times together. Maria will always be a confidant, compa, and Westside carnal to all who were blessed to have known (and continue to appreciate) her life, legacy and journey to the infinite which we all will arrive at some day in joyful reunion!   

I had the pleasure of working with Maria for many years at University Health Center. She was a kind, loving and hard working person with a very gentle spirit, she will be greatly missed. My condolences go out to her family in their time of mourning. 

To the family of Maria Parra, I was so saddened by the news of Maria's passing.  I used to work with her at Truman Med Center.  She was one of the nicest, caring people I had ever met, it's no wonder her profession was in Social Work.  I hadn't seen Maria in a couple of years, but thought of her often.  She was a true inspiration on how to be a good human being.  Her smile, positive attitude, and caring nature will be greatly missed.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her loving family, and especially her children on the loss of their mother.  May peace be with you all in this difficult time.

I began working with Maria in 2007. We didn’t have an official trainer then, so I sat in her office everyday and learned from one of the best! Maria was an excellent Social Worker and coworker. I loved her humor and bright smile. Later she talked with me about cats and college financial aid, we even texted on her last day about a cat rescue we both followed. 
Maria touched many lives, both staff and clients, and will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to the family, prayers for comfort during this time. 

To the family of Maria Pulido-Parra,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Maria. She was a great co-worker; always helpful when I needed a question answered. May Maria Rest In Peace & May God give your family what you need during this difficult time.
Pat Richardson- former coworker

Dear Family , Please accept my condolences. Aunt Maria you will be greatly missed. A beautiful wife , mother and role model. You always made sure I felt loved and valued. Your sweet smiles , warm hugs and lovely family postcards! I loved receiving the post cards in the mail because I got a glimpse of how much Katherine , Benjamin and Elizabeth grew and how cute you and Uncle Pat looked together. I knew how important keeping close contact with family meant to you and I strive to do the same just like you. I will be praying for you all my sweet cousins , uncle, father and brothers. Love Teqorieyia 

Pat and Family:
I am so sorry to hear about Maria.  There are no words I can possibly say that can take the pain away.  I hope that all your beautiful memories of her will always keep her close to your hearts.  She was a beautiful soul.   I will continue to pray for all of you during this difficult time for strength and healing ...in our thoughts and prayers. 
May Maria R.I.P.......

Angela Ortiz & Frank Vera



When I was coaching the girls' volleyball team, on which my daughter, Cate and Maria's daughter, Elizabeth played.  Maria was always there to offer support and help to me whenever I asked-  without question or asking for anything in return.  I realized then, as many of you had already known, what a kind, compassionate and caring person Maria was.  She had a knack for knowing exactly when someone needed to be lifted up, and she always had a smile on her face.   She will be greatly missed.  
 
I will keep Pat and the kids in my prayers during this difficult time.  Losing a loved one is so hard.  No matter how much time you had with them-  it's never enough.  

Peace be with you all.  

I am saddened and shocked to hear about Maria’s unexpected passing.  Her son Ben and her daughter Elizabeth grew up with my children.  Maria was always there behind the scenes helping out at school functions.  She never wanted to be in the limelight but always worked hard and was dependable, kind and helpful.  Her smile could light up a room.  I am so sorry, Pat, Catherine, Ben and Elizabeth.  She was taken away from you far too early.  Remember her legacy lives on through  you and she will be forever proud of you all.  I feel blessed to know her.  You have my condolences and prayers. 

Maria was a very inspiring mentor to me as a social work student.  I got to work alongside her during my MSW practicum, and her compassion, dedication and expertise as a social worker were obvious.  She was a case manager serving some of her clients for many years, and I got to meet some of these folks and see what an impact she had in their lives.  She had a great sense of humor and bright personality that rubbed off on everyone.  She will be dearly missed by all of us in the Kansas City area case management community and the many clients that she served, and will continue to inspire us through a life well lived.

Pat, 
Sorry for your loss I have known Mary (that's the name I knew her by growing up) for a long time and we grew up friends, we went to school together and she lived next door to my grandma that's how I got to know her. Yes she was an awesome amazing person.  I just can't believe she is gone, again I'm so so sorry for your loss. 

We here at SAVE Inc. mourn Maria's passing.  She has been a source of comfort and support to many of our tenants over the years.  She will be very missed.  Maria made a strong impact on the community, but she also touched many people on a personal level.  It is difficult to articulate what a loss her passing is.

Pat,

Please accept our deepest sympathies on the passing of your beloved wife, Maria.  Maria was such a sweet, beautiful person who was a friend to everyone she met.  We will hold you and Catherine, Benjamin and Elizabeth in our hearts and in our prayers during this difficult time.

She was a lovely, warm and inviting person, so kind! I have many fond memories of our every other Wednesday create café cooking class together I will miss her a lot, her light shined very bright! My thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time! 

She simply was a great gal all around, forever!



Maria was a bright soul who’s love of her fellowman shown through in all she did. Maria lived her life by example of what it means to truly walk-in faith. She touched many lives with her genuine kindness, caring and compassion. God graced us with her presence and taught us all to be better, do more, like Maria. Everyone who knew her is blessed to have been touched by her beautiful spirit, which now lives in glory. God bless her family. 

Annalisa Zapien-Pina Young

Maria was loved by all her coworkers. This is a picture of just a few of us with Maria at a work conference in 2019. She was always bringing fun to the office. She was not only funny but honest, reliable and caring too.  Our team looked to her for guidance, support and a good laugh. Our team lost a hero and we will miss her deeply. I send my love to Ben, Elizabeth, Catherine and Pat. Her love for you was immense and I know in my heart she is still with you. 

My condolences to the family of Maria. We shared an office for the last 4 or so years and she always knew how to brighten the day. She taught me how to grow plants and gave me one as a test :) She will be missed dearly and I am thankful for the years I have known her. She was a wonderful person! 


I have fond memories of Maria and Pat at Visitation school. Their son, Ben and my son, Sam were in the same class and always had the utmost respect for them all! They were always were loving and friendly. Though I didn’t know Maria well, my heart aches for her beautiful family❤️❤️❤️

I will write a strongly worded letter. Rest in peace Maria. You were one of the best people I have ever met.

My Condolences to the Parra family.  Maria was a mentor of mine & very well at it and good at her job. I met her in 1993 ♡ When she worked for Kauffman Foundation. A Caring & Loving Woman.  Always a smile & kind words of encouragement. Rest in peace Beautiful Maria. To her Family may all your memories give you comfort. 

OBITUARY

Maria Isabel Pulido-Parra

November 17, 1962 – October 21, 2022

McGilley State Line Chapel

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