Maria Chaires

On Wednesday, June 17th, Maria Chaires entered eternal rest surrounded by loved ones following a recent cancer diagnosis.

She was born prematurely on December 6th, 1953 in San Antonio, TX to Manuel and Concepcion Reyna. She is the second of 13 children the couple would go on to have. The family worked their way across the United States until ultimately settling in Washington state. Maria married Rogelio Chaires in 1985 and together they had a daughter the same year. Maria enjoyed working in a number of different fields including Childcare, nurses assisting, garment production, farmwork and food service.

She was a natural green thumb and loved all manner of creative expression. Crochet, embroidery, jewelry making and cooking were among her favorite pastimes. The beach was her happy place. She loved children and often babysat her siblings, nieces and nephews. She cared for each as if they were her own.

Maria Chaires is survived by her loving husband Rogelio and only child, Heather. She is also survived by her siblings including 7 sisters and 4 brothers. Her extended family includes many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Maria was preceded in death by her parents Manuel and Concepcion Reyna and older sister Janie Castilleja.

Viewing for Maria will start on Thursday June 25th at Hawthorne Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, WA from 1-4 pm. Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception church on Friday June 26th at 10 am in Mount Vernon, WA followed immediately after by burial at Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Mount Vernon, WA.