Dates
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, a beautiful soul peacefully went to go sunbathe in Heaven’s rays. Maria Dora felt she was getting too “white” in the nursing home. She was born November 27, 1935, to Ignacio and Anna Maria Vidaurri Balladares in Laredo, TX. She was one of five siblings…
I could keep going and let you know that she graduated high school, married, got a job, and had kiddos… which she did. But what she was better known for was being a grandmother. It was in 1982 that she would receive the most important role of a lifetime, and then it kept going till the present with great grandchildren. As kids we were constantly riding our bikes to grandma’s house. If we did not feel like making something to eat, we headed to her kitchen, she would make the best bacon grease-soaked eggs, skillet toast, guacamole, frijoles, enchiladas, and mole. And for some reason she had the best tap water, especially when you drank it out of a ole recycled mole jar. Our grandma made sure her husband and family always had full bellies when they left the house. During the summer we would stay with her and grandpa during the week. There we learned how to fish, climb trees, make mud pies, Spanish curse words, and how to use a molcajete. The best trips were to Sonic and Dollar General. She’d tell you DG is the best place for towels and home décor. When we took car rides with grandma, we always played this game of “how far could we get on an empty tank of gas?”. Thank goodness she had us grandkids to help push her across Bryant Street. And when we get to the gas station, she writes a check for $2 for the tank! Grandma would also let us tag along with her and the BFF to church, which if you are not Spanish speaking or Catholic, it could get a bit confusing for us kids. I can also recall, she was the first one to take us to the Village Cinema, where we waited 2 hours to see The Lion King, and all the candy we snuck into her purse melted. Oh, and we can’t forget when she would drag us to the funeral home to pay our respects to someone that said “Hello” five years ago! But who would have known that trip would influence the future of the author to this eulogy?
My grandma was an amazing woman, a little loca, but so strong, and smart. She would pinch your cheeks and tell you how cute you were in English. Then, turn around, curse you in Spanish, while chasing you around the house with a chancla. She will be greatly missed!
To greet grandma with loving arms are her parents, her husband (who is probably fishing), daughter Cynthia (who is enjoying the Woodstock show), son Owen (riding his Harley), infant twin sisters, and a brother Manuel Balladares (who has endless avocados waiting). Also, undoubtedly, her BFF, Anita will be patiently waiting in line with a rosary to welcome her home.
Left to cherish these and many other memories are her two children (oldest to youngest): Patricia (Ted) Smith and Benion L. “Benny” Dougherty, Jr; grandchildren: (the “original” tres amigos, the Pushers) Brookes Taylor (Ricky) Evans, Zachary (Melissa) Taylor, and Alyson (Eric) DeHoyos, (pride and joy twins) Jeremy (Dani) Dougherty and Joshua Dougherty, and her favorite Caleb Dougherty; 8 1/2 great grandchildren, including greatly cherished Bella Hunter; a special grandson in law Ross Pittman; and sister Victoria “Aunt Vita” Liendo of Laredo, TX; along with many other family and friends.
A special thanks to Dr. Viki Forlano, special friend “Olfie”, the staff of Regency House, and Gentiva Hospice.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday August 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church. A visitation and rosary will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Harper Funeral Home.