Obituary

Maria Alma Alcaraz

April 12, 1951- December 20, 2021

Maria Alma Alcaraz, 70, passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming after a short battle with Covid-19. Maria was born in Houston, Texas on April 12, 1951 to Silverio and Gloria (Herrera) Mendoza.

Maria was a giving, passionate, strong-willed woman and definitely not short from being stubborn. If anyone knew Maria, they knew her love for friends, family, food, and people in general. Her greatest love came from watching all of her grandchildren's (especially Nayeli, Greg, and Monika's) accomplishments close at home. She never missed a single basketball, volleyball, or soccer game, or school activity because she would never miss the chance to tell them, along with their friends, "congratulations" or "you will get them next time." When she wasn't chasing her children, grandchildren, or caring for others, Maria spent her pastime searching for the missing vowels in her wordsearch and would always make it known when she found one with a smile on her face. Along with wordsearches, she found comfort in crocheting and sewing for numerous hours. In the summer months, you could count on her being outside with her son-in-law, Manuel, watering her lawn or gardening; he was always given the tasks that required getting his hands dirty. If she had missed a single day of watering or gardening, you could also count on her being outside for five hours instead of three, unless her precious John Wayne was on.

Maria was known for her famous nicknames of Uggy Boy (Greg), Uggy Girl (Nayeli), Gorda (Monika), Travieso (Diego), and Panson (Vinnie), and you would never catch anyone calling them those nicknames other than their grandmother/mother. However, there was a special love for her Uggy Boy; they were true partners in crime and had a connection that could never be broken. She was always up for an adventure even if it was just to a coffee shop or the grocery store, and wherever she was, her Uggy Boy was right there too. The only time you wouldn't find those two together was when she was sneaking her Uggy Girl and Gorda into Maggie's at 6:00 in the morning before he woke up.

Some mothers pray for the bond Maria shared with her daughter, Sandra. Through any life event or hardship, they always had each other and a shoulder to cry on. She also enjoyed visiting with her sister, Elsa; they were each other's best friend. Through her cooking and mostly baking, she found how she could care for people other than family.

The Heavenly Father shined through Maria in her love for people and devotion to take care of them. Her favorite holidays were undoubtedly Easter and Thanksgiving because that was a time when all her beloved family could be together. When her sons, Henry and Vinnie came to town to visit her, they were always greeted with their favorite hot and ready by the time they arrived. If there was a church, school, or teacher event, you could guarantee Maria would provide some kind of treat. West Side Elementary School had her heart where she was able to cook and see the smiling faces of so many children; she did not just stop at providing for the kids but made sure every time there was a teacher toast they had bread, muffins, dates, and other goods straight from her own pocket. Her colleagues were also important to her because every day before work, she remembered their favorite drink and brought it to them to start the day. She was always one to remember a familiar face because any individual that walked into her home became one of hers, and she would do anything to keep them safe. She loved everyone's accomplishments so much, so she kept every newspaper clipping of her kids, grandkids, and their friends even if it was not so good news. Maria's contagious smile and heart that loved so many will forever be deeply missed by so many.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Silverio and Gloria Mendoza; husband, Gregorio Alcaraz; sister, Yolanda Mendoza and brothers, Silverio Jr. and Rick Alcaraz.

She is survived by her sibilings, Eligio (Cecilia) Mendoza, Juan Jesus Mendoza of Colorado, Elsa (Jesus) Mendoza of Worland, Linda Suniga, Patricia Mendoza and Belen Cynthia all of Colorado; children, Greg (Emma) Alcaraz, Vicente (Emilee) Alcaraz, Enrique (Carley) Alcaraz and Sandra (Manuel Perez) Alcaraz; 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with Father Robert Rodgers officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A rosary will be held 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Magdalen CCD. Checks may be sent to PO Box 524 Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.