Our beautiful Maria Evangelina Licona gained her wings on Monday January 13, 2025. Maria passed peacefully at Memory Care Home in Baytown, Texas, surrounded by love and care.

Maria was born on April 10, 1939, in Zacapa, Guatemala, to Elena Rivas and Manuel Chacόn. Her American dream brought her to the United States, where she lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Friendswood, Texas.

Maria brought joy to all who knew her with her warm spirit and kind heart. Her love for her family was evident in every story she told and every meal she lovingly prepared, passing down traditional Guatemalan cooking in her tamales and meals. She was a beacon of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love, always prioritizing the happiness and well-being of God’s children she cared for over the years, whether as a nanny, grandmother, or family caregiver. Her legacy of love will forever bloom in our hearts, just as the flowers did in her garden.

Maria worked many years as a seamstress in Pennsylvania and used her talents at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church with the Heart Hospital Pillow Ministry, making over 2,000 pillows until her battle with Alzheimer’s began. Another one of her Ministries at Gloria Dei was working in the nursery with the babies and treasured those moments to love on His Children.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband Jose F. Licona and is survived by her daughters, Anni Greene (Mark) and Cindy Dube ( Dave); her grandchildren, Eliza Lee (Julia), Anna Spriggs (Daniel), Matthew Greene, and Mark Dube (Olivia); along with step-grandchildren; Miguel, Estuardo, Erick, David, Henry, Gary, Sergio Il, and Katya; great-granddaughter Isla Spriggs; her sister Rosa; along with a lot of nieces/nephews, cousins, and extended family. She cared for them all as if they were her own.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the memory care home in Baytown for their compassionate care during Maria’s final days, with special thanks to Alicia Barnes.

A celebration of Maria’s life will be held on April 3, 2025 at 10 a.m., at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in the Chapel, located at 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, TX. Her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.

Rest in peace, sweet Mom.