Maria Sandoval was born in Santa Ana, California on Wednesday, October 15, 1952. She was raised by her Mother, Rita, until Rita’s death when she was 13-years old. She is survived by her son, Esteban DuPont, her daughter Valerie Sandoval and her two granddaughters, Brissette and Sophia DuPont. After her mother's death and the birth of myself, Maria moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she married Rudy Sandoval. She loved the Southwest, and she loved the outdoors.

Maria moved to the mountain village of Ponderosa, high in the Jemez mountains where she owned a produce store with her husband Rudy and became a Godmother to her best friend’s daughter Mia. While living in Ponderosa, she made many friends and quickly became known for her wonderful cooking and needle work. I remember we had “Matanzas” for celebrations and many wonderful memories.

After moving back to Albuquerque at 33, her daughter, Valerie was born. At the age of 36, Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer. Being the fighter that she was, she took on rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and later had a lumpectomy. During her time in Albuquerque, Maria worked for the City of the Risk Management Department, then then for The Aon Corporation in the Risk Management, and lastly for the Workers Comp Division. She made many friends in Albuquerque and Ponderosa along the way, like Chris Chavez, Lydia Gutierrez, Peggy, Patsy, Daniel, Larry and Doc and many others. She touched, even more, lives along the way and throughout her life. She lived in New Mexico, between 1971 - 1994. During her time in Albuquerque, she volunteered for many organizations and was always involved with Charites, such as the Barrette House. There was not a friend or family she would not help in a time of need. 

She returned to her friends and family in Orange County, California and witnessed the birth of her first granddaughter Brissette in 1996 and her second, Sophia in 2002. During her time in Orange County, she primarily lived in the City of Orange and spent time with her Sister's Lydia Banuelos and Mary Perez. She experienced many birthdays, weddings, new babies, holidays and other beautiful memories that come with a big family. She witnessed with pride, her daughter's graduation from Mater Dei, Graduation from Cal State Fullerton and saw her on to her Masters at the University of Southern California. She saw her son get married and her daughter get engaged to her new son, Jovany Horta. As always, she was there for her granddaughter Brissette's graduation from Mater Dei and to see her youngest granddaughter, Sophia finish her Freshman year at MD.

During her time with Family in California, she went on several cruises to Mexico, two balloon trips to New Mexico where she went up in a hot air balloon during her second trip, a Mother’s Day trip to Catalina, tea parties in Orange, and witnessed two plays: Wicked & The Ten Commandments. She visited the wine country of Temecula, trips to the beach to fly kites, and to bathe her feet in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Lastly, she went on a trip to LA for a private screenings and brunch at the Magic Castle. She was always so thankful and always there for the family.

She always gave to others herself, her time and whatever she had to see them smile. She always looked for the best in people and was a lover, not a fighter. I saw her give her last dollar without hesitation. I saw her give more than anyone else I know. Her life was certainly a testament to the power of love and selflessness. 

She fought cancer furiously from 1998 - 2017. Dr. Phillips treated her for 18-years. What a fighter she was. On Thursday, July 6 at 3:30 pm, she breathed her last breath and passed on peacefully and pain-free to be with her sisters & brothers and her mother. She will be missed.

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