Memories of Maria de Jesus Varela

In memory of

Maria de Jesus Varela

La Habra, CA

December 19, 1958 - December 23, 2025

Dec 19, 1958 - Dec 23, 2025

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Stomach Cancer Awareness Network (Hope for Stomach Cancer ).

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Maria?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Ivette Echevarria

Shared a heart

Andrea Rizo

Shared a heart

Matthew Varela

Maria Varela's slideshow, downloadable below:

https://drive.google.com/file…

Read More Read Less

Wilhelmina Villa-Real

Rhonda Ramirez

Elisa Torres

Please consider a gift to Stomach Cancer Awareness Network (Hope for Stomach Cancer ).

$3,428.00

Raised by 30 people

Learn more & give

Wilhelmina Villa-Real

Karaoke Nights

Maria (and Manuel 😊) had this great Karaoke system in their game room. I would say, “When’s karaoke night?” She’d say, “You tell me.” Then karaoke potluck night would happen. So much fun! It wasn’t because we were great singers, but because we can be loud and dance and laugh. We had our signature songs. Then we’d sing random songs. Maria’s signature song was Tears in Heaven. I used to wonder why she chose such a sad song. Then I realized that she sang it for her parents.

Before we can end the night, we HAD to sing I Will Survive. Then we can go home.

I love you, Maria. I miss you.

Read More Read Less

Yolie Alcaraz

Marisela Torres

Matthew Varela

Angelica De La Torre

Shared a heart

Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Maria's family or funeral.

Browse sympathy flowers

Maria M Barba

Our deepest and sincere condolences to the Varela family. Maria's family was the center of her life. She loved her Family and she will truly be missed. May our Lord continue blessing you with comfort and strength in this most difficult time. May she rest in eternal peace. Just know part of her heart is in your heart!

Sincerely,

The Barba Family

Read More Read Less

Marisela Torres

Matthew Varela

Susan Batistelli

Maria loved her family deeply. She would do anything she could to help make their lives better. Her smile would light up any room she was in and it lives on, on the faces of her beloved children Michael, Marissa, Matthew and on her beautiful grandson’s faces too Luke, Leo and Rhett. What I will fondly remember the most about Maria was her “Agga magic.” Luke gave her the endearing name of Agga when Abuelita was just more than he could say, and it stuck. Whenever Maria gave them a talking to, whether it was on how to do something, how or why not to do something, to put a stop to “boy shenanigans,” really just about anytime Agga spoke she had their full attention and they hung on every word she said. She had all the right magical words that would reach into their little toddler minds to make them listen- Agga Magic. It was beautiful to see. They adored each other. We will always love and remember you Agga.

Read More Read Less

Matthew Varela

Susan Batistelli

Marisela Torres

Karen Fessenden

2026, Graham, WA, USA

I was so sorry to hear that Marie had passed away. I know she is with her Lord and savor.

Marie was a great neighbor. We lived next door for 20 years. She always had a wave and smile for us. When my sister Terri moved in with us in 2011. Marie would check in on Terri when we went out of town. One year we were gone over Thanksgiving. Maria was so sweet to bring Terri a Thanksgiving dinner. Always making sure Terri was OK I really appreciate that. We moved to Washington in July. Even though we have moved and Maria was sick she still was checking in with me about Terri. She was so thoughtful

Whenever you talked with Maria, you knew how much you loved her family. Manual the kids and the grandkids were the center of her life. She will be truly missed.

Read More Read Less

Veronica Diaz

Matthew Varela

Natalie Correa-Alvarez

My sincere condolences to you and your family hard to believe that Maria is no longer with us on earth but is with the Lord and I’m so blessed to know that her soul is pure and beautiful as she was her love she gave to her children and families is just amazing so Bless you all🙏💔

Read More Read Less

Elisa Torres

Siblings

Read More Read Less

Jesus Nunez

Marisela Torres

Elisa Torres

Another beach day

Read More Read Less

Jesus Nunez

Rhonda Ramirez

Karen Fessenden

Marisela Torres

Elisa Torres

Brother Frank with his sister maria

Read More Read Less

Jesus Nunez

Karen Fessenden

Jesus Nunez

Shared a heart

Ronnie Rotenberg

My condolences to Maria's family. Maria and I met at Vermont Ave. School in 1982. We became instant friends. She was so kind and caring to her students. We both moved on to other schools, with many miles between us. Over the last two years we reconnected. It was a if no time had passed. I admired so much about her, her integrity, her quiet sweet way, and her love a commitment to her family. She will forever live in my heart.

Read More Read Less

Elisa Torres

I love this picture of her kids. She loved walking in nature

Read More Read Less

Angie Cantú

Rhonda Ramirez

Veronica Diaz

Marisela Torres

Jesus Nunez

Karen Fessenden

Erika Singer

Comments:

Angie Cantú

Beautiful picture!! Beautiful picture!! Beautiful picture!!

Melissa Kurtz

My heart goes out to the Varela family. Maria was a special person. Her family meant the world to her. She raised a beautiful family with Manuel. Her kids will carry on her legacy of warmth and kindness. Much love during this difficult time. Melissa Kurtz

Read More Read Less

Rhonda Ramirez

Jimmy Alcaraz jr

Marisela Torres

Frank Cornejo

Jesus Nunez

Karen Fessenden

Ismael Torres

Matthew Varela

Comments:

Michelle Alcaraz

One of my favorite pictures of Tia Maria. She was always there for us when we needed her. She loved Ian and... Read more One of my favorite pictures of Tia Maria. She was always there for us when we needed her. She loved Ian and Evan like her own.... Read more One of my favorite pictures of Tia Maria. She was always... Read more

Erin Montoya

Dinner with Maria, Angie, and Erin — with Angie Cantú and Erin Montoya

Read More Read Less

Marisela Torres

Comments:

Angie Cantú

Love her!! Miss her!! Look at that smile 🥰 Love her!! Miss her!! Look at that smile 🥰 Love her!! Miss her!! Look at that smile 🥰

Adriana Torres

As a kid, hearing we are going to Tia Maria’s was my Disneyland. It’s where we all came together. Her home was warmth, strength, and obviously fun. Her hugs were always tight. Her “I love you’s” were always felt. I strongly believe Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because to her. I cant think of the day without her or her family. We all shared admiration towards her. I hope when she was here, she knew. Her children are and will always be a symbolic part of her. She instilled her great qualities in them. Even though we haven't been in close contact, I know her spirit is there because Tía was the kind of person you always wanted to learn from. She was a natural teacher, and her legacy lives on in everyone she touched.

Read More Read Less

Veronica Diaz

Marisela Torres

Frank Cornejo

Rhonda Ramirez

Margarita Duran

Matthew Varela

Melissa Barba

Ismael Torres

Melissa Barba

Maria and her babies 💞

Read More Read Less

Rhonda Ramirez

Veronica Diaz

Maria M Barba

Marisela Torres

Matthew Varela

Angie Cantú

Jesus Nunez

Karen Fessenden

Erika Singer

Ismael Torres

Melissa Barba

Joshua Tree trip, in her element 💓

Read More Read Less

Rhonda Ramirez

Veronica Diaz

Maria M Barba

Marisela Torres

Matthew Varela

Jesus Nunez

Karen Fessenden

Erika Singer

Melissa Barba

Thanksgiving 2024 ❤️

Read More Read Less

Maria M Barba

Marisela Torres

Matthew Varela

Karen Fessenden

Comments:

Maria M Barba

❤️❤️beautiful ❤️❤️beautiful ❤️❤️beautiful

Melissa Barba

The most loving Grandma with a smile that lights up a room

Read More Read Less

Rhonda Ramirez

Veronica Diaz

Maria M Barba

Marisela Torres

Matthew Varela

Jesus Nunez

Karen Fessenden

Matthew Varela

A note from one of my Mom's students that I felt really shows the type of teacher and woman she was. She made it her life's work to positively influence as many young lives as possible, and we are so blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her and continue learning from her teachings everyday.

Read More Read Less