Obituary of Maria Luisa Zuniga

María Luisa Duarte Zúñiga was born in Nogales, Sonora, México on January 9, 1919 and passed to a Heavenly life on February 6, 2015. She was the third of five children born to Francisca Estrada and Jesús Duarte, but was raised by her mother and second husband Ramón "Guzman" Figueroa, extended family, maternal grandmother Eloisa Trujillo Estrada and maternal uncle Ramón Estrada, and grew-up with four more siblings. She loved to talk and tell stories about her happy childhood, adolescence and young adult life with her family, relatives and many friends. Mom loved to dance in her 20s, but she was very "picky" about whose invitation to dance she accepted. Her brothers-in-law swore María Luisa would never find the "perfect" dance partner; that is, until she met Roger V. Zúñiga and married him on May 15, 1948. Problem is that Dad did not dance, but he and Mom danced through a wonderful, happy and loving life together as witnessed by many family and friends. Surviving Mom are her children, Norma Rosa Zúñiga and Hector, daughter-in-law Vanessa Tafoya Zúñiga; grandchildren Peter (Katie McGrath), Angela (David Cisneros), and Robert (Brianna Anthony); great-grandchildren Noah Roger, Aiden, Izabella, Madison, Christian, Zachary, Preston and Paxton. She is also survived by a sister and brother, Rosa Alicia Figueroa Uribe and Rafael Duarte, many immediate nieces and nephews, 2 more younger generations of nieces and nephews, and of course, friends who are like family. She will be missed dearly by many. First in her life were God, Jesus and Our Lady of Guadalupe. María Luisa loved to garden, cook (!!!), laugh, interact with family and friends and in her recent years she loved to hold her great-grandchildren. Mom had many family and friends who loved her dearly because she loved dearly herself. She was generous, loving, thoughtful, considerate, bringing smiles, joy and laughter to those around her. At various points in her life, Mom was involved with the Guadalupanas and Club Alegría of St. Augustine Cathedral, the Society of Perpetual Prayer, and the League of Mexican-American Women. María Luisa's family would like to thank all those who cared for her in health: Dr. Jim Martínez, Dr. Fredy Toiber, Casa de la Luz Hospice and their kind, wonderful, respectful personnel. Those who cared for her in Spirit: Monsignor Arsenio Carrillo and the priests involved with the Guadalupanas. And of course, the many family and friends who offered prayers, masses, and most recently gifts of meals and love. Our most heartfelt and sincerest thanks! María Luisa requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Casa de Los Niños; 1101 N. 4th Ave.; Tucson, AZ, 85705.