Sunday, December 1, 2013
Tia Maria and her late husband, Santos, indirectly and directly helped raise her older sister's, Antonia Zapata's, family. These include Felix (Irma) from Harlingen; Toni (late husband, Vernon Raith), Little Rock; Pita (Ruben Ripe), Miami; Candelario (Rita), Bethesda; Olga (Gary Reynolds), Costa Mesa; Lidia, Harlingen; Silvia, (John Schleicher), Dallas; and Josefina, (Jack Whatley), Edinburg. Maria Mancha was instrumental in various community projects throughout her life. She was a true asset to San Benito and her immediate family (her sister, Antonia) whom she helped set up in San Benito. She will be remembered for her generosity and her compassion. She maintained a beautiful garden along with her late husband and helped her neighbors and her church, St. Benedict's Catholic Church.