Maria Luisa Flores

Maria Luisa Flores

September 8,1928 – April 27, 2024

Maria, 95 years young, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and grandchildren on Saturday April 27, 2024

Maria was born Maria Luisa Elizalde in Agua Caliente, MX to Leocadio Elizalde and Sara Covarrubias. Maria is the youngest of 6 children, Agrepina, Delia, Federico, Bermundo, Rafel and Gonzalo. At a very early age, her father passed away. Growing up poor, she did not want to ask her mother for money to buy the things she longed for, so at a very young age, she had a job in a candy store then grinding corn. At the age of 12 years, she moved to the USA to live with her older brother Federico.

She later met and married Manuel Holquin and together they had 3 children, Dolores, Rosa Marie and Delia. Manuel and Maria owned and ran a restaurant/bar in Guadalupe, CA. They would later divorce. Maria met and married George Flores and together they had 3 children, Sara, George Jr and Orlando. Maria proudly bought a house in Oceano on her own where she resided for 61 years. George passed away leaving her a widow raising 6 children.

Maria had numerous jobs including working in the fields, at Phelan and Taylor packing shed in Oceano, John Ingles frozen foods in Santa Maria, for the child care at her St Patrick’s church in Arroyo Grande on Sundays, donated her time at the San Luis Obispo county food bank and on her days off, she would make and sell tamales, tortillas and salsas which she was extremely famous for. Rumor has it, her tamales traveled as far as New York City. Maria was always a hard-working woman

In her late 50’s, she proudly became a US Citizen and her 1st statement after swearing in was “now I can vote!!”  Maria always longed to go to school, but circumstances never allowed until she was in her late 60’s when she went to school to learn to read and write English. This was such a proud and happy moment for her. Maria didn’t have an easy life but always made sure her kids were never without food, always clothed and knew they were loved. She was also proud of the fact she bought her home by herself, her perfect credit and the fact that she bought 4 brand new cars by herself throughout her lifetime. These stories she told numerous times especially after her dementia stared to take her.

Maria was an extremely devout Catholic. She instilled her faith in her kids and grandkids which they carry with them today. She knew God loved her and was not afraid of life or death. And now she is seated with her Father.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings and her husband George.

Maria is survived by her children Dolores (Gene), Rosemarie Bachman (Larry), Delia Salutan, Sara Torres (Michael), George Flores Jr and Orlando Flores (Donna). Her grandchildren Raymond “Buji” Bautista, Constance Salutan, Edward Salutan Jr, Tiffany Alarcon, Samantha Torres, Amanda Guerra, Orlando Flores Jr, Ashley Flores, Maria Flores and Michael Flores and numerous great Grandchildren.

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