Maria Alida Guerra

October 27, 1922 - August 17, 2016

Maria Alida Guerra, 93, was welcomed into the gates of heaven on August 17, 2016 at Comfort House in McAllen surrounded by her loving family. Maria Alida was a lifelong resident of McAllen, Texas, graduating from McAllen High School in 1942, where she was named one of the Most Beautiful girls in her Senior class. She was also a McAllen Business College graduate. She was an active member of the community until her retirement in 1991. She was a Supervisor for the McAllen Police Department – Parking Meters Division/Traffic Safety. Maria Alida also contributed countless hours to her favorite charities: Our Lady of Sorrows P.T.O., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Brownsville and Corpus Christi Diocese, March of Dimes, The Red Cross, Easter Seals, The Fourth of July Kiddie Parade and Bathing Revue, Women in Law Enforcement Association, McAllen Ex-Student Association (Vice-President and Life Member), McAllen General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, and assisted with the McAllen Adult Migrant Program. Maria Alida was also named “Woman of the Week” for KGBT-Channel 4 News, and was an active member of McAllen Chamber of Commerce, traveling to Mexico and numerous sister cities. She was an avid contributor to the “Opinion’s Page” of The Monitor, writing letters to the Editor for many years. Her hobbies included traveling, crossword puzzles, ballroom dancing, Karate, and celebrating her favorite day of the year – Halloween with her family and friends. She was also a huge believer in the power of prayer – praying endlessly for all of God’s children throughout the world. Maria Alida was preceded in death by her husband, Lauro M. Guerra; her parents, Ramon and Maria F. Resendez Hinojosa; brothers, Ramon and Horacio Hinojosa and sister, Leticia M. Hinojosa. She is survived by her children, Dalia (Rudy) de la Viña, Yvonne Guerra-Galan, Lauro M. Guerra, Jr., Marinela (Mel) Guerra-Blackwell, as well as grandchildren, Laurie de la Viña, Letty de la Viña-Shupe, Lina de la Viña, Lila de la Viña-Villegas, Rudy de la Viña, III, Anthony de la Viña, Dylan Blackwell, LeeAnn Blackwell, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. – Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel located at 1108 W. Hackberry Avenue, McAllen, Texas. A family visitation will follow immediately after the mass. Private burial will be held at Valley Memorial Gardens. Monetary contributions can be made to Comfort House Service, Inc., 617 Dallas Avenue, McAllen, Texas 78501 in memory of Maria Alida Guerra.