Maria Narcisa Montemayor

Maria Narcisa Montemayor passed away on January 16, 2025 at the age of 87 surrounded by those that love her and will miss her dearly.

Although it would be easy to define Maria’s life by the bookend dates that encapsulated her existence on Earth, it would bely the richness and amazing journey of Maria’s “dash”; our life journey that is enshrouded by the dash between the dates that will memorialize our tombstones. Maria was certainly so much more than that.

Born into a large family unit with meager means, Maria had to endure complex family dynamics and crushing poverty that would quickly have broken even the strongest spirit. Yet, these fires of discord that engulfed her formative years forged an ability to rise above life’s challenges and adversity with bold determination, grit, and an unyielding indomitable spirit. Through it all, always leaning on her faith and trust in God, regardless of whether or not the turbulent winds of life abetted or hindered her life’s journey. 

Although Maria was unable to secure more than an elementary school education, something she often lamented, she was able to teach hundreds (if not thousands) of fourth grade students in the only school in Marin, Mexico. Her labor of love molded the lives of future doctors, lawyers, and politicians. Her sacrifices, service and contributions to the advancement of the children of Marin were officially recognized in 2018 by the Mayor of the municipality. This nurturing, caring spirit that was innate in her humanity, transcended every dimension of her life and, in the most profound way, manifested itself in her family.

Maria, along with her husband of 67 years (Jesus Antonio – dec. 2022) invested all of their energy, time and money on their children. Our mother would somehow take our father’s subpar wages and manage to save enough for clothes, food, Summer vacations in Mexico, and our education. Even numerous health setbacks would not dissuade her. No sooner would she return home from yet another major surgery, before she was up at 4:30am ready to prepare my father’s breakfast and lunch in anticipation of another workday as a laborer. She valued and relished the role she played as a homemaker and did not share the disdain for it as much of society now does. Her love for her role in our household was only exceeded by the unwavering, deeply rooted love she had for our father.

The dedicated and steely resolve with which she approached her lot in life was admirable and an inspiration to us all. It was through this myopic and singular purpose in life that she was able to raise first generation college graduates; not bad for a simple, humble woman from a small, destitute Mexican town who, at one point in her life, did not have a single pair of shoes to cover her battered feet. To the end, it was always about a greater purpose and cause, and never about herself.

As our mother’s health began to decline and her memory slowly faded, one would think that she would have little to give back to those around her. But Maria, in spite of the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s, always had a smile for anyone and everyone that was fortunate enough to cross paths with her. In spite of her own trials and tribulations she still managed to elevate others and comfort them by conveying the joy and peace that can be secured even during our most dire hours on Earth.

There’s something to be said about the pain of losing your mom. An intangible, existential umbilical cord that grounds your life and gives it meaning and that is severed with immediacy the moment our mothers die. We will never be the same again, but we are all certainly better for having had this amazing human being in our lives and for having seen the countless acts of selflessness that defined her “dash” during her time on Earth.

Maria is preceded in death by her husband, Jesus Antonio Montemayor, and is survived by her 3 children, 8 grandkids, and 5 great grandchildren.