Maria Jesus Portugal, 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on April 21, 2024. Maria was born in Villa Hidalgo, Sonora, Mexico to Romaldo Romero and Florencia Rios in June of 1939. She is one of five children. She got her bachelor's degree in teaching from Escuela Normal Superior de Hermosillo in Sonora, Mexico. She was an elementary school teacher in Mexico. She got married in Villa Hidalgo to Jose Portugal on December 26, 1965. Shortly afterwards, she moved to Tucson, Arizona where she raised her children.

Maria's passions surrounded teaching, children and music. She spent many years singing in various church choirs. She also volunteered for many years at her children's schools: including Santa Cruz and St. Ambrose. Alongside the love of her life, Jose, they dedicated their lives and devotion to the Lord through their work with the choir at St. John's Catholic Church. She was a woman who showed love to everyone she came across. She lived a long and very fulfilling life full of love. She is survived by her two daughters, Maria Urias (Jacob Urias) and Rubicela Knieter (Edward Knieter); her four grandchildren, Tyler Portugal, Savanah Urias, Jacob Urias, Mikaela Knieter; her many nieces and nephews; and her only remaining sister Lupita De La Garza, whom she loved very much.