Maria Cruz Obituary

Maria R. Cruz CHARLESTON - Ms. Maria "Mary" R. Cruz, age 76, passed away peacefully with her loving family surrounding her, Monday, May 4, 2015, at the Medical University of South Carolina - Ashley River Tower, after battling chronic cardiac illness. Friends and family of Mary are invited to attend her funeral Mass on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 888 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403, with Father Patrick Allen officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Park, 7113 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406. The family of Ms. Cruz will receive friends on Thursday, May 7, 2015, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a Rosary prayer at 7:00 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley Chapel 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Maria Rosario Cruz was born on October 10, 1938 in Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines to the late Frederico and Conchita dela Cruz. Mary had a quietly brave and adventurous spirit that encouraged her to move to the States at a young age to pursue whatever her future had in store. She single-handedly raised a daughter and tackled life obstacles as they came. In 1997, she medically retired from her position as a bookkeeper for General Engineering Laboratories. She loved to travel, and she made several trips to Europe, 3 of them on her own even after having suffered a stroke. She was an avid Braves fan, loved to read and loved to work on her flower boxes that decorated her front porch. She enjoyed living in the chaos of her four grandchildren. She especially loved watching the kids' sporting events and other activities. In her own little ways, she touched the lives of everyone who met her. Her spunkiness and smile will be greatly missed. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Josie and Michael Craig of Charleston; four grandchildren, Hannah Francis, Connor Michael, Cavan Lawrence and Langdon Joseph; sister Beatrice Cruz of the Philippines; niece Cherri Bailey, husband Andrew of Stoke-on-Trent, England; nephew Andre; Ilagan (Heather Brown) of Summerville; nephew Donn Ilagan, wife Katrina of Goose Creek; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Frederico and Conchita, brothers Dominador, Benito and Eleno Cruz and two sisters Inez Aquino and Clarita Ilagan. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Cardiology staff of both 5E and 3W MUSC Heart and Vascular Center - Ashley River Tower for taking care of "Lola" during her multiple admissions. She always felt safe and comfortable in your care. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com. Flowers will be accepted and arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, 843-722-8371. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston