MARIA LUISA AMELIA RESENDEZ DE CABEZA

Maria Luisa Amelia Resendez de Cabeza entered into Eternal Life early Saturday, May 2, 2020. She was 93.

Maria Luisa (Cotita, as she was affectionately called by all who knew her) was preceded in death by her husband, Luis Z. Cabeza y Abascal; her parents, Epitacio V. Resendez and Maria Luisa Salinas de Resendez; her brothers Enrique A. Resendez, Epitacio R. Resendez, Carlos J. Resendez and Jorge A. Resendez; her brother-in-law Gregorio Z. (Laura) Cabeza and sister-in-law Luisa (Amadeo) Lobeira; and her son-in-law Mauricio Sada Paz Garza.

She is survived by her sons Luis Zacarias (Elena) Cabeza, Carlos Epitacio (Sara Alicia) Cabeza and Jorge Alfonso (Amparo) Cabeza, and her daughter Maria Esther Beatriz "Nena" (Rene) Solis; her grandchildren Monica Cabeza, Fabiola (Eduardo) Cabeza, Luis (Bonnie) Cabeza, Mauricio (Sarai) Sada-Paz, Gabriel Sada-Paz, Bernardo Sada-Paz, Carlos Cabeza, Manuel Cabeza, Jorge Cabeza and Gloria Cabeza. Also surviving her are nine great-grandchildren: Monica, Jorge, Eduardo, Sofia, Jordi, Alexandra, Samuel, Christian and Lucia. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Yolanda G. Resendez; her two lifelong friends, Elia Ilda G. Espinoza and Irma Fernandez Fowler; Sara Duran, who cared for and nurtured her for the past several years; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Maria Luisa was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas on November 29, 1926. She attended and graduated from Ursuline Academy in Laredo, Texas. On December 28, 1947, she married Luis Z. Cabeza y Abascal, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, where they settled and raised their family. In Veracruz she was received by Luis's family and friends as one of their own, and Veracruz became her second home. During her frequent visits to family reunions she was always welcomed as a celebrity, receiving and giving love and friendship to everyone.

Maria Luisa was blessed with a healthy and rewarding life. She enjoyed travelling to different parts of Mexico, including visiting her dear co-parents-in-law, Humberto and Gloria Escobar in San Miguel de Allende. Her sons and daughters also took her on numerous trips throughout the United States and Europe. She was the perfect traveling companion, walking tirelessly with enthusiasm, and soaking in the sights and sounds of many beautiful places. Once while in Portugal, she walked the Seven Hills of Lisbon, where she out-walked everyone. For many years, her family was blessed to enjoy her company on a daily basis for lunch and dinner, where she would impart her wisdom and share the unique experiences of her life.

Maria Luisa's charitable works included the Vicentinas in Nuevo Laredo and the Ursuline Mission at El Cenizo, where she would assist Sister Theresa Sarich OSU in her office. She was an avid reader and an accomplished pianist, who would delight friends and family during weekly musical gatherings. She was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Rosary group, meeting weekly for the past twenty years for prayer and sharing. Maria Luisa was also a dedicated adorer at the Adoration Chapel at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

She was exceptionally proud of her children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's accomplishments, always encouraging and rewarding them with praise and prayer. Maria Luisa never missed any of her family's Baptisms, First Holy Communions, graduations or weddings. It is difficult to express in a few words such an extraordinary person who had such a bountiful and fulfilled life. She was a perfect lady - kind, giving and prudent.

Maria Luisa was blessed with a long and healthy life, and all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends are very privileged to have been a part of it. She was a woman of deep faith, with strong convictions. She was energetic, talented, smart and loving. She enjoyed everyone and everything. She had a beautiful and gentle smile.

GOD gave us the best gift...her beautiful LIFE.

Visitation will be held at Hillside Funeral Home on Monday, May 4, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

A Funeral Mass for family members and close friends will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she was a parishioner for many years, on Monday, May 4, 2020, at 12:00 p.m.

Due to restrictions resulting from Covid-19, a Holy Mass celebrating her life will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to her physician, Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa, Rochelle V. Gonzalez, and the nursing staff of the ICU Unit at Doctors Hospital, especially Arleen, Elsa, Eunice and Carmen, for their loving care and compassion.

If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at

Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.