Maria Zulema Elizondo

1936 - 2025

Maria Zulema Elizondo

Maria Zulema (Gomez) Elizondo passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, February 8, 2025. She was 88-years-old. She had waged a long and hard battle with Alzheimer's. Zulema was born in Seguin, Texas, on July 23, 1936, moving to Ohio when she was 11-years-old.

Zulema always tried to help others. She definitely accomplished this through her career as a bilingual Head Start teacher, and then as an advocate for the senior citizens at the Mayores Senior Center in Toledo, Ohio. Even after retirement, Zulema continued to lend a helping hand as an active member of the Guadalupanas at SS. Peter & Paul Church. She loved her church and loved God even more. She was a very faith-filled wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and shared that faith with everyone.

She was preceded in death by Brigido, her beloved husband of nearly 65 years; her son, Robert; her parents, Cruz and Tomasa Gomez; her son-in-law, Fred Vernon; and her brothers, Cruzie, Jesse, and Chico Gomez.

Zulema is survived by her children, John (Marianne), Roberta Vernon, and Brigit Elizondo; her grandchildren, James, Michael and Emily Elizondo, Thad (Stacie) Vernon and Georgiana Quigley (son, Joseph, and grandchildren, Elliot and Autumn); her sisters, Yolanda Caver and Genevieve Gomez (Herminio Perez); and many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. The family takes great comfort in knowing she touched so many lives with love.

Even after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Zulema continued to show her love and generous heart by thinking of others and their needs. She pre-planned everything. She asked that whatever possessions she had be distributed to whomever wanted or needed them. She purchased a bench for her cemetery plot for the comfort of those visiting. Lastly, Zulema requested that in lieu of flowers any memorial contributions be made to SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 738 South St. Clair Street, Toledo, OH 43609, in gratitude for the spiritual guidance and comfort she always found there.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11 a.m. Visitation with music provided by Mariachi Jalisco will begin at 10 a.m., with the Rosary recited prior to Mass. Internment will be next to her beloved husband, Brigido, at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, 4210 West Central Avenue, Toledo, OH 43606, Section U, Lot 45, Space 1, for those whom wish to pay their respects at a later date. To view the live stream go to CoyleFuneralHome.com and click on the link in Zulema's obituary.

Coyle Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

www.coylefuneralhome.com