Maria de Jesús Lara, age 86 years, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2020, while surrounded by her family. Maria de Jesús was born in 1933 in El Refugio, Guanajuato, Mexico. In 1963, she made Omaha her permanent home. Maria de Jesús was active at our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Every year, she helped make enchiladas for the annual fiesta, sang in the church choir, was part of the Hispanic Family Ministry, participated in the Cursillo Movement and Legion of Mary. One night, Maria de Jesús had a dream of the Blessed Lady handing her a rosary. Although Maria did not like to speak in public, she took it as a sign to pray the rosary with her community. She began praying the rosary every Sunday before the morning Mass. The tradition continues more than twenty years later.

Maria de Jesús loved our Lord and had a special place in her heart for his Blessed Mother, Mary. Thus, May was a special month for her and had her children offer flowers to Mary, a tradition she continued with her grandchildren.

Maria de Jesús married Félix in 1952. She devoted her life to her children and grandchildren. In addition, she provided childcare for numerous children and loved them as her own. She was known for having a giving heart, her delicious tortillas and her Mexican meals. One couldn’t walk into her house without being offered something to eat or drink. Her life was devoted to ensuring others were happy and making sure they were prayed for. Mom covered her family with her prayers and she often carried her rosary in her apron or hung one close as a reminder to pray and trust in God.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Bartola and Eustacio; her brothers Pascual, Enrique, Manuel and Domingo; her sister Juanita; and her twin sons, Jose and Jesús.

She is survived by her brothers, Paulino and Laurentino; sisters, Bricia, Lourdes, Mercedes and Gloria; by her loving husband, Félix; her sons, José (Irma), Samuel (Imelda) and Juan (Teresa); daughters, Efigenia (Ralph), Maria, Leticia (Ascención), Gerarda (Abel), Ana (Francis) and Susana (Gustavo); and her primary caregivers who were her grandchildren, DeAna (Greg), Mateo, and Lauryn; her other 24 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Her greatest joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was most happy when she was around them and they were a testament of her love and faith.

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