In memory of Maya Marquez

Maya was a bright light who left an impact on all who had the blessing and privilege of knowing her. She was funny, quirky, incredibly intelligent, and had many creative skill sets. Maya was artistic by nature, and she found joy in writing her novels. She was inspired to write by music that impacted her and was quick to share her inspirations. Maya was also a musician, she played violin, ukelele, and guitar. She loved to paint and draw. Maya was truly a visionary. She had so many thoughts and hopes for the future; dreams to go to 8th grade and joining ROTC so that it would better prepare her for her long-term goal of joining the military forces. Maya loved to read, you could always catch her with her nose in a book. Maya accepted Jesus into her heart on Good Friday of 2023 and was eager to evangelize, encourage others, and be the hands and feet of Jesus. She stated her identity was a "Servant".

Maya went home to be with the Lord on July 10th, 2023. She leaves behind many loved ones. Worthy of note, she had a deep love for her older siblings: Gabby, Dominik, and Gustavo. This past year, Maya had been in the tender love and care of Jesse James Marquez. She admired and adored him so, and aspired to follow Jesus in the way he does. Jesse showed her what it was like to be loved and seen through Christ. Although she is missed on this side of eternity and her absence is painful, we are comforted to know that she is in the presence of Jesus, where there is no pain or sorrow, only fullness of joy and where she is fully restored. Maya shared recently a verse that impacted her the most in this season of life which was Luke 12:2-3: "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."

We are grateful for any donations and want to be transparent about where they will be allocated. All donations will be going towards Maya's transportation from Houston to Chicago, her funeral arrangements, and reception. In the event that donations go above and beyond our goal, they will be used towards her tombstone and any other unforeseen expenses. We are so thankful for the many thoughts, prayers, and overwhelming support.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Suicide Hotline: Tel: 988

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/