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BORN
1931
DIED
2022
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Maria Celaya Obituary
1931 - 2022
Maria Loreto Esquer Celaya, 91, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 after a valiant battle against the effects of heart disease. She was a long time resident of Arizona, having been born in La Dura, Chihuahua, high in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico. She is survived by seven of her nine children, Rosa Celaya Rhoades (Richard), Ernesto Celaya (Gayle), Itza Celaya French, Frimmel Celaya (Susan), Iris Olson (Bradley), Ulysses Celaya (Jacque), Neil Celaya (Paula), brother José Esquer, sister Carmen Guadalupe Esquer, 30 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, 107 Celaya's and 118 relatives in Mexico. She was preceded in death by her husband Jesus Maria Celaya, two sons, Henry Celaya (Mary) and David Celaya, nine children from Jesus' previous marriage, Enrique (Yolanda), Rodrigo (Enriquetta), Romeo (Emma), Orlando (Norma), Delma Yanez (Gerardo), Frecia Kalil (Frank), Hernan (Elvia), Ovidio (Stella) and Norman, granddaughter Angelica D'Silva and grandson Nicholas Ryan Celaya.
Born Tarahumara and raised outdoors on the banks of the Barranca de Cobre (Copper Canyon), Maria was baptized under giant pine trees by local Mennonites, thus beginning her profound faith in God. The eldest of nine children, born to José Baca Esquer and Rosa Esquer Quiroz of Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico and eventually Campo Esperanza, Sinaloa, Mexico, Maria learned to be fearless as she worked side by side with her father and siblings to hunt and fish for survival. They panned for gold, which was then traded for food and needed supplies. Tata taught mom to make dynamite (used in mining), which she promptly used to blow up a beehive. Always in trouble, and too curious for her own good, she was the only person we've ever met who had to be rescued from quicksand.
Maria met Jesus in San Luis Rio Colorado at age 31, married and initially moved to Ajo, Arizona, eventually settling in Tucson. Jesus had nine children from a previous marriage, for a combined total of 18 children. Though they came from very different backgrounds they formed a strong bond until his passing in 1982.
From her mother Rosa, she developed a compassion that was unrivaled. Mom was Santa Claus! Until Covid, she would make two trips a year to deliver turkeys, food, clothes and candies to her beloved Ejido. She would drive her children crazy year-round, making her lists and checking them twice, thrice . . . . Maria never met a stranger and would often bring them home. Some became family. She was loved and will be missed for her awesome food, especially her yummy homemade tortillas and beans, tacos, and red chili.
We would like to thank our friends and family for their love and support, and the lovely people at Catalina Hospice for their respectful care of our mother.
A Memorial Service will be held at Pantano Christian Church, 1755 S Houghton Rd., Saturday, June 11th. Viewing at 10 AM and Service at 11 AM with a reception to follow. Arrangements by Angel Valley.
Memories and Condolences
for Maria Celaya
4 Entries
Lisa H Maher
May 16, 2023
Dear Sister,
I knew you very little in life, the figure in the doorway waving to your dear son as I whisked him off to work, but what I know about you, I learned from him. You instilled a final moral compass in Ernie, and an unbelievable work ethic. I have no idea where his goofy sense of humor came from, if it was from you, the more the merrier, I guess. I know you were a woman of faith, and that your faith gave you comfort as you aged, and I am glad for that. I came to your memorial service and listened to the stories that spoke of undying love and wished I had known you just a little other than as my friend's mom. The world is a poorer place for your loss in it. Abrazos, Lisa Harber Maher
Graciela Celaya
June 21, 2022
Celaya family, from the bottom of my heart I offer you my condolences for the list of one of the most amazing, beautiful, and loving woman I've ever know. Next to my Mom, she was the only other person to give true unconditional love. She became mine and my kids Nana the day we met her. I will hold her memory in my heart for as long as I live.
To her sister, Carmen:
En contadas veces que tuve la fortuna de verla y platicar con usted, puede encariñarme con usted. Y se cómo debe estar por la pérdida de su hermanita (como usted le decía) no tengo palabras para consolarla, pero tengo mucha fe en que Dios le dará paz y consuelo de saber que su hermanita está descansando en su Gloria. Que Dios la bendiga siempre.
To Nana Children:
Please accept my late condolences. Due to unfortunate circumstances I was unable to be there for you during this very difficult time. My thoughts, my spirit, and all my love was, is, and always will be there!
To Nana:
Gracias gracias y muchas gracias por tanto cariño que nos dio a mi, a mis hijos, y a mi nieta. Yo estoy segura que usted está gozando en el paraíso de Dios. Haciendo reír a todos los que se le adelantaron con sus lindas y animadas ocurrencias. Por el problema de la pandemia no se me dio la oportunidad de volver a verla y darle las gracias por sus consejos y su cariño. Y tampoco tuve la oportunidad de decirle que seguí sus consejos y me di la oportunidad de ser feliz otra vez. Recuerdo muy bien sus palabras "la vida es muy corta y tenemos la obligación de cuidarnos y buscar ser feliz. No le debemos explicación ni cuentas a nadie más que a Dios." Usted que ya avía vivido una larga vida me dijo que la vida era corta. Esas palabras tienen un valor inmenso para mi.
Vicki Dault (Austin, Murphy)
June 1, 2022
Our family was neighbors with the Celaya family back in the late 70's on E. Waverly Pl. We had just moved to Tucson from the lush green of Illinois and they were such a great introduction to the desert and its beauty. I remember Maria always rescuing plants from nurseries and lovingly bringing them to full beauty. Also her patience in teaching us how to prepare delicious beans and tortillas .... she had strong arms, a generous heart & a great laugh. Our mother, Ann, also fell asleep in death from heart trouble and we share with you in the loss of your mom.
Ann Jackson, Cheryl & Levi Austin, Vicki Austin (Dault), Susan Murphy (Sanders), Danny Murphy.
If we can, Danny & I will try to make the services because we both live here in Tucson. After 40 some years we wonder if we will recognize any of you or you us.
Fondly remembering your family in your sorrow,
Vicki & Danny
Iris Olson
May 22, 2022
June 11, 2022
Viewing at 10:00
Service at 11:00
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