Maria De La Rosa-Sanders

Maria E De La Rosa-Sanders Maria 66 of Grandview, WA passed peacefully at Astria Hospital on January 23, surrounded by her family. Maria (Nena) as she was so fondly referred to by her family, was born on August 5th, 1957, to Pablo Sr. And Esperanza De La Rosa in Toppenish, WA. Maria was the fourth of nine children raised in Outlook and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1976. In 1977, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). This was her calling in life to help others. She began working at Sunnyhaven nursing home in Sunnyside in 1978. She worked there for the better part of 14 years. It was here that she met her first husband Joseph Ayac in 1986. They were married on September 14th, 1989. They were happily married for three years till his sudden death on May 2nd, 1992. Maria was lucky to have found love again, when she met Arthur Sanders 1993. They were married on November 12th, 1994, together they raised three children Theresa, Arthur Jr, and Johnny. Maria left Sunnyhaven shortly after Joe passed away, she worked at various nursing homes around the valley, in the early 2000’s she started working at Toppenish Nursing and Rehab Center. It was here that she met her best friend, “sister” and carpooling buddy Lily Balderas. Maria worked there till 2013, when she was forced to retire due to health reasons. Maria had a passion for writing poetry, she would often submit her poems to The Readers Digest. In 1986, her dream had come true. She had two of her poems published by them. She also loved spending time with her husband and kids, they often went traveling, camping, fishing, rock hunting, going to the mountains, and drag races. Maria and her family enjoyed barbeques at her sister Angie’s house with her family, and their oldest brother Andy and his family. She especially loved going to yard sales. Maria was preceded in death by her first husband Joseph Ayac, parents Pablo Sr, and Esperanza De La Rosa, brothers Andy De La Rosa Sr, Pablo De La Rosa Jr, and David De La Rosa. Sisters Theresa De La Rosa, Juanita Cano, and Martha De La Rosa. Nephews Tommy Pursel and Pablo Treat De La Rosa III. Maria is survived by her husband of 29 years. Arthur Sanders Sr, daughter Theresa (Kevin) Calvert, sons Arthur Jr, and Johnny. Grandsons Lucas, Benjamin, and William Calvert. Sisters Christina (Michael) Pursel and Angelita (Tony) Alcazar, special niece, and nephews. Angelica (Kevin) Cano-Newell, James (Blythe) De La Rosa. Richard De La Rosa. Ramon Rodriguez (Alexandra) Rodriguez and best friend Lily Balderas. Brother in laws Donald Sanders and John Sanders. Maria is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. We would like to give a special thank you to doctors and nurses at both Kadlac Hospital in Richland and Sunnyside Astria Hospital. Funeral services will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home, in Sunnyside WA on February 10th, 2024, with viewing from 9 a.m. and services at 11:00 A.M. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria De La Rosa-Sanders, please visit our flower store.