Maria Naged de Munoz was born in Colombia, South America, one of ten children of Lebanese immigrant parents. She was raised Catholic and was a devout member of her Church. As a young woman, she was an accomplished basketball player and horseback rider. She married and had four daughters, whom she raised according to the principles of her Catholic faith. All her daughters immigrated to the United States and all would eventually become American citizens. Maru regularly, and a few years after becoming a widow in her eighties, she also immigrated to the United States.
Maru (as she was known to family and close friends) possessed incredible strength, courage and integrity. She weathered the difficult times of her life with the utmost dignity, without complains, or the expectation of help from others. Maru was dedicated to her family, and was always present for her husband and daughters in times of need. Maru looked after our dad at home during the last two years of his life when he was bedridden. As the last surviving member of her generation, Maru was an example of a life well lived not only to her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-granddaughters, but also to several nieces and nephews who admired and appreciated her very much.
As a practicing Catholic, Maru attended mass regularly. She prayed the rosary every day and taught us to pray the novena to the Child Jesus at the time of Advent. Maru was generous and kind with everyone, especially with those less fortunate than herself. She treated everyone with respect, including her household help. She would often take us to the local church to bring donations of food and clothing for the poor families of the parish.
Maru was a very organized homemaker, who instilled in her daughters a sense of order and cleanliness. Even during times of economic hardship, Maru's table was always plentiful and healthy, and she taught us to cook and eat delicious, wholesome meals.
Maru was blessed until the very end of her life with a sharp mind, a kind disposition and the love of those around her. She was stoic and patient in the hospital never complaining or demanding. She received the last sacrament in her hospice bed with the same devotion and respect she would display in church, praying together with the priest and her daughters. She leaves behind an enduring legacy of integrity, kindness, strength, love and generosity.