Maria was born in Jalpa, Zacatecaz, Mexico on April 21, 1929, to Antonio Torrez and Teresa Rodriguez Torrez, she passed away at the age of 93 on October 17, 2022. Her family moved to Pabellon de Arteaga when she was two years old. She considered Pabellom de Arteaga her hometown. It was here where she met her future lifetime partner, Jose Ramirez. They were married on January 18, 1948. She lost her lifetime partner on February 23, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jose, her son Jaime, daughters-in-law (Becky Ramirez and Josefina Ramirez), son-in-law (John David Singleterry) and grandson Anthony Ramirez and by most of her siblings. She is survived by 3 daughters, and 5 sons, Maria Yonaki (Jimmy), Leticia Singleterry (David), Teresa Vazquez (Mario), Daniel Ramirez (Linda), Marcos Ramirez (Olivia), Rogelio Ramirez (Josie), Jose Manuel Ramirez, and Antonio Ramirez (Eleanor), 22 grand kids, 29 great grand kids, and 1 great great grandson.

In the early 1950's Jose moved to Roswell, New Mexico as a contract farm worker under the Brazero Program. Returning to Mexico every two years until he earned enough money and completed immigration papers for the family. He moved the family to Roswell, New Mexico in 1962. While Jose was away Maria managed to care for her young family of five boys and three girls by herself.

In the summer of 1967, they moved the family to Delano, California where they started working as farm workers. They moved to Bakersfield, Ca. after dad got a job supervising farm labor in the Rosedale area.

When Maria was not working, she was caring for her family. She loved cooking simple Mexican dishes, always making sure everyone visiting was always fed. In her spare time during day light hours, she would tend her vegetable and fruit garden, and her flowers. Her house was always very colorful year-round with all kinds of flowers. In her spare time at night, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, crosshatching, and embroidering while watching novelas. All of us have samples of her handiwork around our houses. Her favorite pastime was dancing and being with friends. Most Saturday evenings they would go dancing. Among their favorite places were the Eagles Club, KC 's Steakhouse, and the Crystal Palace. Maria loved listening mariachi music. Her favorite singer was Juan Valentin.