Maureen Valencia Hudson

Maureen was born October 31, 1944 in Tampa, Florida to Al Valencia and wife Laota Hatch. Raised in Tampa, she was a 1962 graduate of Hillsborough High School and attended the University of South Florida. She was a voracious reader, which led her to a career as an educator. She shared her passion for reading with generations of students, and especially with her own kids and grandkids.

She married Paul H. Hudson in 1965 and settled in Tampa, where they raised their three children. Maureen and Paul eventually relocated to Pasadena, Texas, where she lived the remainder of her life.

In addition to her enormous generosity and inherent sense of fun, Maureen was known for her lively personality and quick wit, possessing the perfect combination of humor, sass, grace, and charm. She was an excellent cook and gracious hostess, and loved to share her talents with her kids and grandkids, even recently teaching Paul to make her famous yellow rice and chicken. In addition to books, she also loved flowers, music, the Florida Gators, Gone with the Wind, the beach, and fireworks.

Above all, Maureen loved the Lord with all her heart. She was an active member of Golden Acres Baptist Church in Pasadena, a fellowship that she cherished dearly.

In addition to Paul, her husband of 56 years, Maureen is survived by her daughter Alison Campbell and husband Darrell of Plant City, Florida; son Matthew Hudson and wife Kimberly of Spring, Texas; and daughter Melanie Moore and husband Todd of Deer Park, Texas; as well as grandchildren Brittany, Kati, Abby, and Wade and great-grandchildren Gio, Ella, Olivia, and Asher. She is also survived by her brother Gregory Spooner and wife Laurel, and brother Michael Spooner and wife Yvonne, both of Lakeland, Florida, as well as many friends and relatives.