Loss of Maria Contreraz

Friends, on 12-27-2020 at 5:21 a.m. our family suffered a great loss; that is the hour that our devoted and loving mother and Grandmother Maria A. Contreraz was declared deceased. Devoted is a commonly used word in such situations but devoted was actually an understatement to who Maria was. Her whole life she was in the service of others. She gave her time, energy, and resources to others. She loved easily and forgave easily. She lived a selfless life and did nothing for herself. She battled and fought against COVID-19 since 11-21-2020. She was admitted on 12-2-2020 and during that time she touched many medical staff in the 3-east wing at Kaiser Permanente.. She was in love with the Lord and prayed in all things. Psalms 91 was engrained her mind and she loved the song “Un dia al a vez” or “One day at a time”.  She was a strong, competitive, and highly active, little woman. She was tiny but so strong! When her daughter sat with her as Maria was in the hospital bed, she needed to open a bottle of cranberry juice but could not. Maria got that bottle and opened it with no problems. Dr’s would ask her to try and sit for 20 minutes and she would sit for 30 minutes, just to show COVID and staff that she was a fighter. Due to covid restrictions no one was allowed to stay with her but by God’s grace and the amazing medical staff, we were granted permission for her to have a visitor (that ended up staying with her the last 23 days of her life). Her daughter and granddaughter were blessed in being able to care for her as she was in the hospital.  But even then, she was concerned for their well-being, reminding them to eat, to pay bills, to sleep, and when asked by the Dr. if she would accept life-saving-measures (Ventilator/intubation) she responded only if my daughter is not too tired to take care of me. She placed the value of others needs over the value of her own life. She never really understood how important, significant, needed, and valuable she was. Maria was survived by her only child Carlota Kincaid, 5 grandchildren Rosey, Jasmine, Marc, Christopher, and Johnathan, and her great granddaughter Charlotte. Her love, instructions, compassion, and her very being will always influence her family and future generations.

This was such an unexpected experience. Even at the hospital she was using her last money to pay her Kohls credit card and next months rent. We were already planning for her to be discharged and come home. We still have her Christmas presents under our tree waiting for her. Both her daughter and granddaughter took off work to care for her at the hospital 23 days straight. Unfortunately, all our income has been exhausted during the time we ourselves battled covid-19 and then spent at the hospital.

Today we ask for any amount that could help her family in paying for a funeral. The family needs approximately $11,000 for all expenses. Plot costs are $5000, the mortuary cost is $6000 and there are other expenses; everything is more complicated and expensive due to the nature of her death. We thank you for your time, giving, and prayers. Please continue to pray for our family as we suffer the loss of Maria because for those in our home, she was the only family we had contact with. Be safe friends and love each other as if it was the last time you would see each other.



With Love and much appreciation                                      

Therefore, you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you John 16:22

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us Roman 8:18