Obituary

Maria de Jesus “Chita” Figueroa died peacefully in her home in Buckeye, Arizona, on February 28^th, 2023, at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her husband Albino, daughter Elizabeth, brothers Juan, Manuel Espinoza, and a sister, Carmen. She is survived by her son Jesus Roberto Figueroa, 7 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, her sisters, Petra, Francisca, Mikaela, Socorro, Heriberta, and her brother Miguel.

Chita was born in Agujita, Coahuila, to her parents Miguel Espinoza and Cruz Aleman on September 17^th, 1939. She married the love of her life Albino on March 20^th, 1965. Her marriage produced two children, Elizabeth and Robert Figueroa and she gained two stepchildren through the marriage, Lupe and Johnny Figueroa.

She was a very hard worker and held various jobs throughout her life. She was most proud of working in the fields and illegally picking the flower from Palo Verde trees.

Nana Chita was a busybody, constantly moving, cleaning, and loved to chit chat. Her favorite pastimes were maintaining her own land and yes, even in her 80s she was still trimming trees, mowing her lawn, and fixed things around the house with duct tape. She also never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune and loved to cook.

Our family will remember Chita by her famous dishes which were, the most famous of course, the beans, along with tortillas, and her chicken and rice soup. As well as her unique vocabulary, such as when she said “tinfoil” and “growcitys” but meaning groceries. Last but not least, we will remember her for the generosity and love of her family well as her reganadas that will forever shape who we are. Tapate la Cabeza. ,put a sweater on Alonzo, make kiko lunch, pay the water to nachito, “CALL Me Back”

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11AM, Thursday, March 9 at St. Henry Catholic Church in Buckeye, Arizona. A funeral mass will follow at 11AM with burial at Louis B. Hazelton Cemetery (Buckeye, Arizona) at 12:30pm.

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Maria de Jesus “Chita” Figueroa, falleció tranquilamente en su hogar en Buckeye Arizona, Febrero 28, 2023, a la edad de 83.  Ella fue precedida en muerte por su esposo Albino, Elizabeth su hija, sus hermanos Juan y Manuel Espinoza, y Carmen su hermana.  Le sobreviven su hijo Jesus Roberto Figueroa, 7 nietos/as, 16 bisnietos/as, 1 tataranieto/a, sus hermanas Petra, Francisca, Mikaela, Socorro, Heriberta y su hermano Miguel.

Chita nacio en Agujita Coahuila, sus padre Miguel Espinoza y su madre Cruz Aleman el 17 de Septiembre, 1939.  Se caso con el amor de su vida, Albino, el 20 de Marzo, 1965.  De su matrimonio nacieron 2 hijos, Elizabeth y Roberto Figueroa, también adquirio dos hijos de su esposo, Lupe y Johnny Figueroa

Ella trabajo muy duro y tuvo varios trabajos durante su vida. Estaba muy orgullosa de trabajar en el campo y de recoger flores ilegalmente de los arboles de Palo Verde.

Nana Chita estaba ocupada constantemente, limpiando y le gustaba platicar.  Su pasatiempo favorito era mantener su patio, su tierra y claro aun en sus 80’s todavía podaba sus arboles, cortaba su zacate, y arreglaba cosas en su casa con un poco de tape.  Tambien nunca se le pasaba ver su show favorito de la Rueda de la Fortuna y le encantaba cocinar.

Nuestra familia siempre recordara a Chita por sus platillos favoritos que eran, el mas famoso por supuesto los frijoles, con tortillas, su pollo y arroz.  Igualmente su vocabulario único, como cuando decía “tinfoil” y “growcitys” refiriéndose al mandado.  Por ultimo, pero no por menos, siempre la recordaremos por su generosidad y su amor a su familia, también por sus reganadas que por siempre nos harán las personas que somos.  “Tapate la Cabeza”, “ Ponte un sueter Alonzo”, “Hazle lonche a Kiko”,  “Pagale el agua a Nachito”, “ LLamame de Regreso”.