Maria Del Rosario Zuniga

Maria del Rosario Zuniga passed away December 9, 2018 at the age of 58.

Maria was born June 14, 1960 in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to Gabriel Banuelos Gamez and Maria de Jesus Parra Nieto. Her father cultivated their own crops in their personal fields while also running their own convenience store which was under Maria’s name and her mother took care of Maria and her 11 siblings. Growing up in La Gavia, Mexico with her siblings Berna Banuelos, Maria de Jesus, Ruben, Luz, Benjamin, Amalia, Bernabe, Ana, Jose, Sixto, and Isabel, Maria was always very playful and mischievous. She often told stories and blamed others, like when she tore her sister Ana’s school work and books. She was interested in reading in school at Francisco Gonzales Bocanegra-La Gavra. When she was a teenager, she often took lunch to her dad while he was working. She loved going to dances with her sisters, although the main reason she went was because her younger sisters wanted to go. She had a very close relationship with all her siblings. She even gave Sixto his first bike and helped him with his first communion as a sponsor.

Maria grew up in the same small town as her husband, Eleuterio Zuniga. There was a fair in a neighboring city, Villa Juarez, where they rode the Ferris wheel together and from then on made it a tradition that carried over to when they moved to the United States. They were blessed with five children: Beata Lee Zuniga, Erica Zuniga Martinez, Eleuterio Zuniga Jr., Leslie Ann Zuniga, and Juan Manuel Zuniga. She was a devoted mother, putting her children’s health and safety above all else, often reminding them, “vayanse con cuidado” and “hablanme cuando lleguen.” She was very generous and caring of her children and grandchildren and made sure everyone was well fed and had enough money. Education was very important to Maria as she always made sure her children attended school every day. Maria’s faith was also very important to her. She went to St. Teresa Catholic Church, and made sure that her children attended church with her, not just attending mass but also going to religious education classes. She was humble and respectful, and wanted her children to have the same obedient devotion.

Even though Maria was challenged with diabetes, she was a good provider for her family. Her favorite job was when she worked at Luby’s, but she also enjoyed working as a housekeeper in Mexico. When she wasn’t working, she loved spending time with her family. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, but she also loved the fireworks on the fourth of July. Christmas was also among her favorite holidays as well as she very much enjoyed the Christmas lights and decorations. She loved celebrating levantadas for infant Jesus. She also enjoyed going to the carnivals and eating funnel cakes. She also enjoyed doing word search puzzles and playing la loteria with her entire family. She could often be found snacking on her favorite slurpees, blue lollipops, and cheddar and sour cream Ruffles while holding her cup of crushed ice and always had a pack of gum in her purse.

Maria leaves behind her husband Eleuterio Zuniga, her five children, sixteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and nine siblings.

To honor Maria’s life, her family has planned a visitation to be held from 3--pm - Midnight on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Hillier Funeral Home of College Station and again from 3 PM – Midnight, with a Rosary Prayer at 7pm on Friday, December 14, 2018 at Hillier Funeral Home of College Station. Last viewing will be from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 PM on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Bryan with interment to follow at Bryan City Cemetery. Reception to follow at St. Teresa’s Hall at 4:30 pm.