Obituary of Maria E. Soto

Maria E. Vila Rodiguez Soto 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and children on Tuesday September 25, 2018 in The Woodlands, Texas.

Maria was born in Santiago de Cuba on August 21,1940 to Pedro and Lila Vila. She was raised on a farm with her two brothers, Pedro and Raul Vila.   She met the love of her life on a blind date and they left Cuba for a better life in the United States.  They settled in St. Louis and raised 5 children together. Her family was her pride and joy.  Maria enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.  There wasn’t a holiday she didn’t celebrate.   Whether it was hiding Easter eggs for her grandchildren, scaring them with firecrackers on the 4th of July or dressing up as a witch for every Halloween she always the life of the party. Christmas was her favorite time as she lavished family and friends with food, drinks and gifts.  Maria was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.  Nothing brought her more joy than attending a game and cheering on her Redbirds.  Maria was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Anselm Parish for years. 

She is preceded in death by her father Pedro Vila, her mother Lila Vila and brother Pedro. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 57 years, Alberto Soto, her 5 children, Maria Huntsberry, Elena (Mark) Nethers, Al Soto, Beatriz (Carlos) Ayala, Rebeca (Jon) Harel and her 10 grandchildren, Patricia (Forrest) Noelk, Alexander Nethers, Jack Nethers, Joseph Soto, Christopher Ayala, Gabby Ayala, John Ayala, Leila Harel, Andrew Harel and Lucy Harel.  She will be greatly missed by all.  The family would like to thank everyone who helped care for Maria as she battled Alzheimer’s so courageously.

Mass will be held Friday, October 5th at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in The Woodlands, Texas at 1:00 p.m.  Burial will follow at Klein Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.