Maria De Lourdes Barrios

Maria De Lourdes Barrios was born February 23, 1932 in Venezuela to her late mother, Petra Hernandez. Maria was raised with her sister Clara by a loving mother and step-father. Maria never received any formal education, but she did not allow that to limit her. She taught herself how to read and write. She was an intelligent, resilient, and strong woman who would later pass those traits down to her children. 

Maria raised five children on her own. In August 1976, at the age of 44, Maria moved to the United States with her four daughters to join her son. Maria was a courageous woman who started over in an unfamiliar country to be with her family. She was proud to have gained her citizenship in 1983. She retired from West Point Military Academy New York after 20 years. After her retirement, she spent her time helping raise her grandchildren. 

Maria was the matriarch of her family. Her family meant everything to her. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Maria loved playing cards with her family. She loved cooking and hosting for her family. She would often call her family members to update them on their horoscopes. She enjoyed recommending natural remedies to her family for their ailments. Her evenings were spent reading her Bible. She never let her family say goodbye without saying I love you multiple times.  

No words can capture what an amazing woman she was, and how deeply she will be missed. Her family finds comfort in knowing she is reunited with her mother and her son, Juan Zapata. 

Maria, known as abuela to her grandchildren, leaves behind her family that she loved so dearly. They include her four daughters - Hermina and Keith Standley, Ysbinia Velez, Sinia and Roger Haggerty, and Crisalida and Mark Gay. 16 grandchildren: John Carlos Zapata, Lizette Zapata, Ryan Zapata, Danielle Standley, Kiana and Jordan Parrett, Michelle and Sam Russo, Christian Jeffrey Mays, Brenden Velez, Jessica York, Jennifer and Austin Cummings, Roger Haggerty Jr., Sean and Angela Haggerty, Landon Haggerty, Thomas Dershem, Rachel Dershem, Rebekah Dershem and 23 great grandchildren. 

“No sabíamos esa mañana que Dios iba a llamar tu nombre. En la vida te quisimos mucho, en la muerte hacemos igual. Nuestros corazones se rompieron al perderte. No te fuiste sola, porque una parte de nosotros se fue contigo el día que Dios te llamó el cielo. Nos dejaste con recuerdos de paz. Tu amor es todavía nuestro guía, aunque no te podemos ver, siempre estás a nuestro lado. Nuestra cadena familiar está quebrada, y nada se parece lo mismo, pero Dios nos llama uno por uno, y nuestra cadena se ligará otra vez.”

Te queremos abuela. 

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