Maria Ruelas age 83 of Galveston passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024, at her residence in Galveston. Funeral Mass is 10:00am Saturday, October 12, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The family will receive visitors at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00pm until 8:00pm where a rosary will be recited at 6:30pm.

Maria was born March 16, 1941, in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to Pedro Esquivel and Hortensia Guzman Esquivel. She was employed many years at the Emporium on the Strand where she was lovingly referred to as "Chacha". Her children were blessed to have a wonderful loving mother who always gave her all to her family. Everyone looked forward to the holidays because of her Tamales and Menudo.  She was a most beloved matriarch that set an excellent example for all to follow. She will be dearly missed and forever revered.

Preceded in death by her parents, her husband Enrique Ruelas, Sr., son Enrique "Henry" Ruelas, Jr., Grandchildren Robert Ruelas, sister Frances Juarez, brothers, Samuel Esquivel, Hermelindo Esquivel and Raymundo Esquivel; survivors include her daughters Sylvia Hernandez and husband Trinidad, Sr. Cynthia Ruelas; son, Ricky Ruelas all of Galveston; sisters Nela Cantu of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Rosa Arnero and husband Juan and Norma Recio; brother Pedro Esquivel and wife Gloria all of Corpus Christi, Texas; grandchildren Henry Ruelas, III, Samantha Ruelas, Jennifer Ruelas, Trinidad Hernandez, Jr. and Jessica Sanchez; great grandchildren Ali, Robert and Audrey.