Maria Anunciacion Mendiola Cruz passed away peacefully in her home on July 17, 2012. Maria was born in the Northern Mariana Island of Rota to Felix and Heronima Mendiola. She was 80 years old when she left us to be with our Lord in heaven. Maria was married to Mariano Camacho Cruz for 60 years. They lived a wonderful life together raising their 7 children while Mariano was in the military. After retiring, they decided to settle in Lompoc.
Maria enjoyed playing bingo, getting together with family and friends, and being a part of her church family. Her greatest passion was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Queen of Angels Church in Lompoc and loved to serve the Lord. Her family and friends thoroughly enjoyed her delicious Chamorro cuisine. We will miss her charm, sense of humor, her devotion to her family, and her devotion to the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her parents Felix and
Heronima, beloved son, Joseph M. Cruz, and sisters Lucy and Fermina. She is survived by her husband, Mariano, 6 children Rosie, Anthony, Robert, Marilyn, Raymond, and Dianne, 19 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.. She will be greatly missed by all of her friends, family, and church family. In gef guaiya hao nana, adios, estaki manali'e hit ta'lo.
Vigil services will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Lawrence Santos presiding. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary.