Miriam Marmanillo

Sunrise: May 21, 1950

Sunset: December 31, 2024

In loving memory of Miriam Marmanillo, an extraordinary woman whose life was marked by her unwavering faith and commitment to her family. She passed away on December 31, 2024, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and inspiration. Miriam, the eldest of seven children, was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, to Alvaro and Esther Marchena, and her life was a testament to the power of miracles from the very beginning. As a premature baby weighing only 4 pounds, she struggled for survival, but God had other plans for her. Despite the challenges she faced in her early days, Miriam grew up to be a strong and resilient woman, determined to make a difference in the world.

As she pursued her dreams, Miriam's journey to the United States began on May 7th, 1972, when she arrived with a fierce determination to build a better life for her loved ones back in Colombia. She worked tirelessly to provide for her family, often laboring 12 hours a day in New Jersey's factories. In addition to her demanding work schedule, she took on multiple jobs alongside her father, saving every penny to initiate the immigration process for her mother and six siblings.

Throughout her life, Miriam was a woman of prayer, seeking God's guidance and wisdom. She believed that God had opened the doors for her 30-year career at Spring Branch ISD, as the first female Chief Supervisor over Building and Grounds Operations for the entire school district. This achievement was a testament to her hard work and dedication, and it paved the way for her to achieve her American dream of homeownership in 1988 and US citizenship in 2002.

The biblical verse "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future" (Proverbs 31:25) perfectly captures the essence of Miriam's life, as she embodied these qualities, living a life marked by strength, dignity, and unwavering faith.

Miriam's legacy will live on through her loving family, including her children, Josie and Steve Villanueva, David and Brittney Marmanillo; her grandchildren, Isabella Villanueva and Andrés Marmanillo; remaining siblings, Tony Marchena, Esther Kemery, Dolly Burford, and Jenny Gonzalez; nieces, nephews, other family members and friends who loved and admired her.

As we remember Miriam's life, we celebrate her unwavering faith, her unrelenting spirit, and her unconditional love for her family, and we take comfort in the knowledge that her legacy is a reminder to us all of the importance of faith, family, and perseverance, and her impact will be felt for generations to come through the countless lives she touched.