Maria Luz Cruz
Obituary
María Luz Cruz was born on Nov. 11, 1942, in Weslaco, Texas. In 1965, Maria came to King City, Calif., with her parents. It was a culture shock for her to where she called King City "El Rancho," but soon enough she had acclimated and became social in the community.
She would talk about driving girlfriends to work with her all over Salinas Valley. In 1968, Maria married her first husband, Bernabé Hermosillo, of King City; birthed her first daughter, and shortly after was widowed in 1969. In 1974, Maria married for a second time, Jose Torres, and two years later birthed her second daughter. Maria was a very strong mother; she became a single mother with grit and raised her daughters with strict family values and morals. One of her favorite hobbies was dancing. Maria would love to dance to Mexican music in the styles of Polka, Danzón, Cumbia, and Boleros. She also loved country music, especially dancing the two-step. No matter what, if Maria's music was on, she would sing and dance, making her the Light of the Celebration and that was oh so contagious.
Maria was also an advocate for her friends and co-workers. In the 1960s, she attended meetings led by Cesar Chavez.
At Meyers Tomatoes, she brought quality work and was a member of Teamsters Local 890. Maria loved to sing Regional Mexican songs for the whole packing shed to hear, anything with Mariachis. Meyers Tomato's packing shed was graced with the benefit of Maria Cruz on their staff from 1965 to their packing shed closing in 1998.
Maria Cruz gave her life to work and family. In 1998, Maria Cruz would become ever more the heart of her home with her first daughter and grandsons Mark and Noel. She would avidly be found in the kitchen cooking dinner like a roast or tacos.
Maria liked spending quality time with her sister, Lali, such as dying each other's hair.
Maria's two daughters and six grandchildren were her pride and joy. She would tell them all the time, "You're Somebody and I'm Proud of You".
On the date of July 23, 2023, the sun set on Maria in Yuma, Ariz.
Maria was preceded in death by her first husband, Bernabé Hermosillo; her parents, Antonio 'Tony' and Flora Cruz; siblings, Lupita and Carlos Cruz; and nephew, JJ Cruz.
Maria is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Hermosillo (Miguel Flores) and Flora (Mark) Moreno; grandchildren, Mark Anthony Cunningham, Noel Michael Cunningham, Mariah Danielle Moreno, Michelle Lorèn Morgan, Mark Moreno Jr., and Michael Raphael Moreno; siblings, Marina (Froilán) González, Trinidad (Irene) Cruz, Antonio Cruz Jr, Julian (Madgeann) Cruz, Lali (Daniel) Pereira, Teddy (Stella) Cruz, and Victor (Sandra) Cruz; and many nephews and nieces.
Services will be held on Nov. 2, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on 504 N. 3rd St. in King City. Rosary at 8:30 a.m.; Funeral Mass at 9:00 a.m.
Burial to follow at King City Cemetery District on 1010 Broadway in King City.
Published in King City Rustler · October 25, 2023