Maria Mercedes Saldana Martinez was called into the Lord's arms on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the age of sixty-seven. Maria was born on May 27, 1957, in San Carlos, Mexico, to Guadalupe Saldana Perez and Mercedes Izaguirre. Maria was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother that would move Heaven and Earth for her family. She was a huge Futbol fan and loved watching her favorite team, Los Tigres of Monterrey. Maria also loved to go on breakfast and lunch dates with her kids. She worked for the St. Anthony Hotel for 19 years and then was a dedicated housekeeper for Morningside Ministries for the last 12 years. Maria is reunited in Heaven with her parents Guadalupe and Mercedes, sister Lupina, nieces JoAnn and Nancy, and brother-in-law Vidal Lopez. Maria leaves behind her son Luis Oscar Martinez (Cindy), daughter Veronica Martinez (Rachel), and son Manuel Alejandro Martinez (Natasha); 11 grandchildren; 2 great- grandchildren, 1 great grandchild on the way; siblings Norma Saldana, Adan Saldana, Leandra Saldana, Irma Saldana, Candelo Saldana, Martin Saldana, and Esdel Saldana; and numerous extended family and friends.

Visitation to take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. Family and friends will depart at 9:30 a.m. from Castillo Funeral Home on Friday, September 27, 2024, for a 10:30 a.m. funeral mass at St. Jude Catholic Church. Burial to follow at San Fernando Cemetery II.