Maria passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday December 7, in the company of her son, David, and daughter-in-law, Angie. She was preceded in death by her parents, Amanda and Bonifacio Palma, her husband, Jose I. Rodriguez, her daughter, Maria Lilia McCleve, and her four siblings, Chela, Concha, Jesus, and Ramon. She is survived by her daughter, Amanda; her sons Jose and David; nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; and many more step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Maria led an adventurous life where she demonstrated her courage, determination, and compassion. She was born in 1936 in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. She lost both her parents as a teenager and raised her four siblings. In 1966, as a single mother of two (Amanda and Lili), she moved to Los Angeles, where she met her husband Jose. Jose had five children of his own (Linda, Raul, Denise, Cynthia and Jose). They were married in 1967 and had one more child (David). Maria and Jose moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1969 with Cynthia, Amanda, Joe, Lili, and David. Maria remained in Tucson for the rest of her life.

Maria was an amazing homemaker, who was always concerned with the well-being of her family. She was a great cook and seamstress, which helped the family live a comfortable life. While the children were young, they would travel regularly to visit their extended family in Los Angeles and Hermosillo. She also worked on completing her education that she missed while raising her siblings. As the children grew up and left the home, she was able to enter the workforce. She started cleaning houses and volunteered at schools and churches. Over time, her home cleaning transitioned into home elderly care where she cared for several prominent Tucson residents, including the late Dr. Lawrence Gould. As she transitioned out of work, she continued her volunteer work at churches and elderly activity centers teaching sewing, crocheting, and knitting.

Maria will be missed by the many friends and family that she shared her time and love with over the years.