Maria Mora

Maria Sifuentes Mora, age 87, beloved mother and abuela passed away October 4, 2024 surrounded by her family, friends and love. Maria "Mary" was born on September 24th, 1937, in Huntsville, Texas to Leocadio and Josephina Sifuentes. The Sifuentes family (10 children) were migrant farm workers working many different farms between Texas and Washington before settling in Toppenish, Washington in 1946. For many years, Maria lived with her family in the Toppenish area, working locally at Golding Farms and other farms between Texas and Washington. While a mother of two young children, Maria suffered a brain aneurysm in 1978 that required years of therapy. With the support of her family, she recovered and raised her children in Toppenish. She became deeply involved in her Catholic faith and the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, attending church on almost a daily basis for the last 45 years of her life. She made some of her dearest friends attending mass and volunteering through the Church. The way Maria chose to live her life is a reflection of her faith and belief in church teachings; always willing to care for someone who needed help, pray for people who were going through a difficult time, or support a cause she believed in. Until her recent illness (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease), Maria lived independently. She enjoyed gardening, keeping her yard colorful with flowers and beautifully maintained. Her love language was food. She enjoyed making homemade flour tortillas and always had masa ready to be rolled out for her family and friends at a moment's notice. Maria always sent her kids with freshly made tacos for their road trips back home after visiting. In addition to her tortillas and tacos, rice and beans were always available and ready to be eaten. Her empanadas were something that her children always looked forward to having during the fall season. It brought Maria joy when she was able to bring happiness to those she loved. One of her traditions was making cascarones for Easter. She would carefully collect intact eggshells all year long. As Easter neared, she would tirelessly dye, fill them with hand cut confetti, seal them up and enjoy the delight it brought everyone to be running around cracking the cascarones on each other. Maria was also a wonderful traveler. She traveled up until the age of 85 years old visiting Arizona, California, Idaho and Oregon. Her travels to go see family and friends brought joy to her heart. Maria is survived by her two children, Gabriel (Jozette) Mora, Graciela (Todd) Myers and four grandchildren (Zander, Julia, Marcus, Dante); six siblings, Eleanor "Nonie" Sifuentes, Andres "Andrew" Sifuentes, Benancio "Benny" Sifuentes (Adeline), Dora Galvan (Fernando Sr), Leocadio "Junior" Sifuentes Jr (Anna), Catalina "Cathy" Cortes (Ramón); and sisters-in-law, Sara Sifuentes and Mary Sifuentes; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandson Santana Mora, her parents Leocadio and Josephina Sifuentes, brothers Epitasio "Pete" Sifuentes (Amparo), Ignacio “Nacho” Sifuentes, and “Rosalio” “Charlie” Sifuentes. Special thank you to the large network of people that remained committed to keep in contact, offer their love and support, and assist her throughout her life, Including the extended church family of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Sifuentes family, Flores family, De La Mora family, her neighbors in Toppenish, and other friends who are referred to as family. At the request of Maria, guests are encouraged to wear colorful attire to her services. Visitation will be held on October 10, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 3 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 228 South Alder, Toppenish. The Funeral Mass will be October 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 213 North Beech St. in Toppenish. Interment will follow services at Elmwood Cemetery in Toppenish. After Elmwood we would like to invite you to join us for a celebration of life at the Rev. John Shaw Parish Hall across the street from St. Aloysius Catholic church. Family and friends are invited to share stories, laughter, and her favorite dishes in remembrance of the remarkable woman Maria was. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to ALS Northwest at alsoregon.org, Feed the Poor, plant seeds allowing her spirit to flourish in new gardens and/or enjoy a strawberry milkshake and enchiladas with your loved ones. Maria’s spirit will continue to bloom in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Maria Mora

September 24, 1937 - October 4, 2024

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Maria Mora

September 24, 1937 - October 4, 2024

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