Maria Luisa de la Vara

Maria Luisa de la Vara, 67, of Peoria, Arizona passed away on January 24th, 2009. She is survived by her two sons, Guillermo “Ricky” (Mary) and Steven (Kim) de la Vara, her five grandchildren; Joelle (Michael) Huston and Jessica, Jocelyn, Joshua and Alyssa de la Vara, her sister, Nellie Hernandez, and her two brothers Robert and John Rodriguez. She was born on July 23, 1941 in Douglas, Arizona. After her eldest son, “Ricky” was born, she moved to Phoenix in 1968 where she attended Phoenix College to study interior design. She worked for the Motorola Company until she started as a housekeeper at Marriott’s Mountain Shadows Resort in 1982. A tremendously hard worker, she worked her way to become Housekeeping Manager at Marriott’s Residence Inn and eventually to head the Payroll department at Marriott’s Camelback Inn from 1992 on. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Herlinda and Clemente Rodriguez and her brother-in-law, Jose Hernandez, Jr. Maria always put her family and friends first and did so much for everyone in her life. Her impact in our lives will be forever missed and never forgotten. In the words of her only grandson, Joshua, “She is doing God’s payroll now.” There will be a Visitation at 5 PM followed by a Rosary at 7 PM on Wednesday, January 28th 2009. A Memorial Mass will take place on Thursday, January 29th at 10:30 AM. Luncheon immediately following. All services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church; 6180 W. Utopia Rd, Glendale, AZ 85308. To honor Maria’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will be accepted specifically for the education of her 5 grandchildren. Memorial donation boxes will be available at the Rosary and the Mass. All checks may be made payable to her son, Steve de la Vara.