Maria G. Madera

Maria G. Madera, 89, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025, at Mid Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation in Mercedes surrounded by her husband and daughters. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. Born to Enrique and Concepción Garcia in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, Maria cherished her family above all. She and her husband, Jesus R. Madera, shared a beautiful marriage of 66 years, having exchanged vows at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on March 8, 1959. Together, they cultivated a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Maria was a nurturing presence in the lives of her three daughters, Lilia (Miguel) Gutierrez, Yolanda (James Rogers) Kelso, and Leticia (George) Flores, and a proud grandmother to eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Her family was her greatest joy. Maria had a passion for cooking; her homemade tortillas, mole, and rice were favorites among family gatherings and will surely be missed. Known for her friendly demeanor, she enjoyed engaging in jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and of course, watching her beloved telenovelas. Each morning, she and her husband would enjoy coffee together, accompanied by sweet bread, relishing in the simple pleasures of life. Her adventurous spirit extended to her unique pastime of "chasing the ambulance," curious to know what had occurred in La Feria. This light-hearted quirk is fondly remembered by her family, highlighting her genuine interest in the world around her. Maria is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Margarita, Guadalupe, Antonio, and Enrique Garcia, Jr. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and resilience, survived by her devoted husband, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the Holy Rosary service beginning at 7:00 PM at Rudy Garza Funeral Home - Palms Chapel in La Feria. A church service will take place on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, followed by burial at La Capilla Cemetery in Santa Rosa. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew H. Kelso, Keith Clay Kelso, Jr., George Flores II, James Rogers, Miguel Gutierrez, and Bernabe Ramírez, Jr., with honorary pallbearers George Vicente Flores, James Clay Kelso, and Elliot Ramírez. The family is deeply grateful to Mid Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation for the compassionate care and dignity shown throughout her time there. Maria G. Madera will be dearly missed yet lovingly remembered for her remarkable spirit and the love she so freely shared. May she rest in peace.

Maria G. Madera

July 6, 1936 - December 23, 2025

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