Mary Louise Colunga Rios

June 21, 1922 - December 21, 2017

Mary Louise Colunga Rios, 95, of Colton, California was surrounded by family when she was called home to be reunited in Heaven with her loved ones on December 21, 2017.   Mary Louise (Mary) was born on June 21, 1922 in Colton, CA to Petronilo C. and Margarita Castanon Colunga.  Mary Louise was baptized July 21, 1922 at San Salvador Catholic Church.

Mary Louise attended Colton Unified schools and graduated from Colton Union High School June 12, 1941.

Mary Louise was united in marriage to Xavier R. Rios on November 16, 1954 in O’Campo, CA in San Joaquin County; until his death in 1957.

Mary Louise worked at C.W. Brown Packing House in Highgrove, CA for many years until she began work at Baxter Pharmaceuticals for 10 years until her retirement.

Mary Louise was a member of the Bereavement Auxiliary of San Salvador until her health failed.  Mary Louise and her Sister’s Nellie and Rosie were volunteers at the annual San Salvador Fiesta for decades.

Mary Louise loved listening to music and dancing while attending many family weddings, birthday parties and family gatherings with her Sister’s and Brother’s.

Mary Louise was a devoted Grandmother and loved caring for her many Grandchildren especially her firstborn Twins Rebecca and Dominic along with Michael David and Jonathan.

Mary Louise loved telling jokes and enjoyed her lunches out to Mitla Café for menudo and Dell’s for their tacos and chili verde burritos.  Mary Louise was blessed to live on the same property of her family home handed down from her parents in her casita knowing her Sister’s were close by to share a cup of coffee with pan dulce.

Mary Louise was preceded in death by her Parents Petronilo C. and Margarita Colunga, Husband Xavier R. Rios, Carmen Colunga of Colton, Simona Apodaca of Rancho Cucamonga, John Colunga of Oakland, Frances Araiza of Glendora, Reyes Colunga of Colton and Nellie Colunga of Colton.

Mary Louise is survived by her devoted Daughter & Caregiver Regina Rios Ramirez of Colton, loving Son Frank Xavier Rios of Colton and Patricia Delores Vargas Rodriguez (Manuel) of San Bernardino.  Special thanks for assisting in her care youngest Sister Rose D. (Rosie) Morales of Colton, Kenny Quiroz of Riverside and her Live-In Caregiver Lauri Ballesteros. 

Mary Louise was Blessed to have Grandchildren Twin Rebecca Rodriguez, Twin Dominic Rodriguez, Chris Rodriguez, Michael David Ramirez, Jonathan Ramirez and Twins Mylo and Marc Rios.  Mary Louise was Blessed beyond measure to have 13 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Godchildren, many beloved Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and family friends.

Her services will be January 4, 2018 with Rosary at 11:30 a.m. and mass at 12:00 p.m. at San Salvador Catholic Church 178 West “K” St.; Colton following with burial at 1:30 p.m. at Hermosa Garden Cemetery 900 Meridian St; Colton.