Maria Julia Sanchez Maldonado

Maria Julia Sanchez Maldonado's journey on this earth began on October 23, 1945, in the humble town of Fresnillo, Zacatecas. Her story is one that weaves threads of love, kindness, and selflessness into the fabric of the lives she touched. On December 14, 2025, in Baytown, Texas, Maria Julia's earthly chapter came to a serene close, surrounded by the love of her family and the peace of her unwavering faith.

Maria Julia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Jose Angel Sanchez, and her cherished children, Maria Virginia Puga and Raul Puga. Her legacy continues through her devoted son, Jose Angel Sanchez, and her loving daughters, Maria Elena Puga and Maria Felix Garcia. A matriarch in the truest sense, she was the proud grandmother to thirteen grandchildren and the great-grandmother to eighteen great-grandchildren, each of whom carry a spark of her spirit into the future.

Throughout her life, Maria Julia's hands were never idle, whether she was crafting a masterpiece with needle and thread, tending to her garden with the tender care of a seasoned gardener, or joining her family in a game of lotería.

Maria Julia's dedication to her family was her most significant work, a testament to the Christian values that guided her every action. She lived not for herself, but for the joy and well-being of her loved ones. Her selfless nature was the cornerstone of a home that was a sanctuary of warmth and acceptance, where every friend became family and every family member knew the depths of her unconditional love.

As we celebrate the remarkable life of Maria Julia Sanchez Maldonado, let us carry her light within us. Let us weave our own stories with the same threads of love and kindness that she used so beautifully. Her journey continues within each of us, an eternal legacy of a life that was, quite simply, a blessing to us all.

Gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Saturday, December 27, 2025 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm at Rivera Funeral Home, 1813 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas.