Maria Victoria De La Rosa

Maria Victoria De La Rosa, 86, of Lubbock, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday morning, October 25, 2023.  Maria was born on November 9, 1936, in Willamar, Willacy County, Texas, to the late Francisco Balderas and Guadalupe (Lejia) Balderas.

Maria worked hard all her life and was devoted to her family, especially spoiling her grandchildren rotten.  She was a poet, in her own right, and wrote many beautiful things.  She loved to garden and was a rose enthusiast in her growing of them.  Her family summed Maria up in one word, compassionate, as she encouraged everyone to love each other.  She nurtured her family with soft love, ruled sternly, when necessary, but kept her family out of trouble.  Maria was an avid dog lover.

Maria worked as a custodian for over 50 years, working for Texas Tech, the City of Lubbock, and for the Department of Public Safety for 15 years, before retiring in 2012.  She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.

She will be fondly missed by her life partner, Paula Morales of Lubbock; four sons:  Harvey De La Rosa and his wife Kriselda of Dallas, Eloy De La Rosa and his wife Jackie of Lubbock, Eric De La Rosa and his wife Margaret of Lubbock, and Michael De La Rosa and his wife Erica of Winnipeg, Canada; two brothers:  Joe Rivera and his wife Barbara of Dallas, Martin Rivera and his wife Mary of Lubbock;  two sisters, Rosalinda Ramirez and her husband Roman of Lubbock and Imelda Rivera of Lubbock; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.  Maria was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers:  Frank Rivera, Jaime Rivera and Juan Rivera; one grandson, Michael Cane De La Rosa.

Visitation for Maria will begin at 11 AM until 12:30 PM on Monday, October 30, 2023, at the Venue on Broadway, 2202 Broadway.  Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 11:30 AM with Deacon Adrian Jiminez of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Graveside services will be held at 2 PM at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park under the personal care and direction of Combest Family Funeral Homes and Crematory.

Pallbearers will be Harvey De La Rosa, Eloy De La Rosa, Eric De La Rosa, Michael De La Rosa, Eric De La Rosa, Jr., and James Taylor, III.