Maria was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She came to the United States to work in her early twenties, she resided with her cousin and his wife Raul and Frances Alvarez in Fowler, California.

In Fowler, she built great friendships with Soledad and Raul Zaragoza, Juanita and Bertha (sister), Rey and Toni Mejia, Connie A La Torre, Dona Valentina, Alejandro and Lorenza Caravantes and many more. Lorenza and Maria became close friends; Lorenza asked Maria to baptize her first daughter Cecilia. Maria then became godmother to Cecilia and she held up her role as a godmother.

Maria never had children, however Cecilia became her daughter and always had a great bond. In her 40's Maria met Antonio Velasquez Lira and a few months later they were married and moved to San Jose.

Maria and Antonio helped raised her nephew Federico Martinez and provided their love and support. When her husband retired, they moved back to Fowler. Maria dedicated her time to St. Lucy's Church and became a member of the Guadalupana. She always served God, prayed the rosary and had a strong faith.

Maria moved to Selma, where she met the best neighbors Jose aka Pepe and his wife Reyna. Maria and Antonio always felt very thankful and blessed to have Pepe, Reyna and children as part of their lives. They became family and loved all her children.

Maria's husband Antonio passed away on July 24, 2014. Maria was heart broken, but Cecilia was there and took care of her. She pride herself in being independent and being a strong woman. A few years later, Maria tried to reunite her with her family in Mexico and return to Aguascalientes, however that was short lived. Maria's heart and soul belonged in the US and came back to live in Selma.

Maria was blessed to have had great friends in her life; Lorenza, Soledad, Juanita, Bertha, Pepe, Reyna, Lupe, Alicia, Martha form Aguascalientes, Hilaria, Toni, Connie, Minnie and many more.

Cecilia had a daughter, her name is Ella. Maria would sing Ella songs when she was a baby and loved her very much.

Maria loved, shopping, jewelry, shoes, dancing, music, singing, going to church and the casinos. She loved being boujee and took hours to get ready because everything had to match. She would spend lots of time switching out earrings because the outfit had to be perfect. When she got done getting ready, she came out looking like a model. Maria would get all done up even if she stayed home.

Maria will be missed by all her Friends and Family.

Her Goddaughter Cecilia feels blessed to have had her godmother Maria for 89 years.