Maria Lorenza Leija, 95, of San Benito, TX passed away Monday, November 7, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Maria was born on July 07, 1927, to Venancio and Juanita De Leon. Our dear mother gained her angel wings on November 07, 2022, at the age of 95. She married the love of her life Reymundo Leija. Shortly after they came to reside in the U.S. and made San Benito their home for the next 75 years. She was a devoted wife and mother to her seven children while her husband worked as a carpenter providing for his family. She became a widow at an early age of 33 years after she lost her husband in an accident while working at Valley International Airport in 1960. She was a devout Catholic of St Joseph Catholic Church and a member of Sacred Heart Society, Vela Perpetua, Choir, Prayer Group and Catholic Daughters of America. Our dear mother, Grandma Mia, Mama Maria, Dona Maria as she was known will be greatly missed by all who loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Reymundo Leija, sons Antonio and David, granddaughters Hilda Leija and Kathryn Koite. Brothers Hedilberto, Luis, Amancio De Leon and Sister Anita Chavez. She is survived by her beloved daughters Rosa Maria Rodriguez(+Ramon), Elena Gonzales, Berta Esparza (Ernesto), Susan Sanchez (Ruben), Sylvia Koite and daughter-in-law Janie Leija; Brothers: Antonio, Jose, Jesus and Gilberto De Leon. Sisters: Estela de Leon and Josefa Mendoza; her grandchildren, Rick, Ron Gonzales, Melinda Huizar, Ernesto Esparza III, Rose Marie Galvan, Ramon, Andres, Natalie Rodriguez, Alison Torres, David and Ray Leija, Jessica Ruiz, David, Suzanne, Kristen, Sarah, and Hannah Sanchez, Mark Koite, Jennifer Leija, and Antonio Leija Jr.; 51 great grandchildren, 46 great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a recitation of the Holy Rosary to be held at 7:00 pm. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1001 US-77 BUS, San Benito, TX with interment to follow to Mont Meta Memorial Park. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Ron Gonzales, Ernesto Esparza III, Antonio Leija, Jr., David Leija, Ramon Rodriguez, Rick Gonzales, Mark Koite, Isaiah Guerrero, Ray Leija and Andres Rodriguez. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Maria Lorenza Leija at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematory, 395 S. Sam Houston, Blvd., San Benito, TX 78586.