Maria de la Luz Valverde

Maria de la Luz Valverde of San Marcos, Texas, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, at the age of 65. She was born to Fidel Francisco Valverde and Irma Rocha de Valverde on July 21, 1953 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

An intellectual who loved studying and talking politics, she held a PhD in Political Science and was a Professor at Austin Community College. She was an infinitely strong-willed woman whose insistence on defining life on her own terms continues to serve as a source of inspiration to those around her. 

Maria de la Luz was a lover of travel and blessed with an insatiable curiosity. She spent her summers teaching in Barcelona with her husband then traveling the world before the start of each new school year. When not exploring or laughing, she was an avid reader (and solver) of mystery novels.

Her marriage of 39 years to her husband, Hassan, was defined by love and a deep respect and willingness to work for their inter-faith union. She had a beautiful sense of humor, and was a wife and mother whose spirit built a happy home. Maria de la Luz was blessed with a happiness that lifted those around her and will continue to fill their hearts with joy.

She is survived by her son, Ardalan, daughter, Parisa, and husband, Hassan; four brothers, Francisco, Alfredo, Rafael, and Fidel; and her sister, Irma.

Family will receive friends at Pennington Funeral Home at 4 p.m., with Recitation of the Holy Rosary to follow at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 8. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 9, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Marcos, with Fr. John Boiko, Celebrant. Interment to follow at the San Marcos City Cemetery.

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, 323 North Comanche Street, San Marcos, Texas 78666, 512-353-4311.