Maria A Jimenez

Maria Jimenez quietly joined the afterlife surrounded by her six children on Friday, November 24, 2023. In the same bedroom where her mother, Anastacia Aquino died 32 years prior and the home comforted by decades of memories where she welcomed so many into. Born in Pueblo, Colorado and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, she spent her young adult years working as a secretary for the local rail road in México City. Thanks to this role, she was privileged to travel via railway to many destinations in Mexico, sparking a love of travel that spanned many years. But before her worldly adventures to Europe and South America began, she moved to Las Vegas with her husband and their oldest daughter, Pati.

Maria called Las Vegas home since arriving in 1955. Thanks to the many opportunities Las Vegas afforded, she was fortunate enough to bring her infectious personality to various downtown casinos and strip hotels, from her post as a change girl to a supervisory position in the housekeeping department. Lady Luck, Mint, Four Queens, Flamingo, Caesars Palace, the International Hotel and the historic El Cortez were all lucky to have Maria on staff. She also held a position with the Clark County School District in the cafeteria at Rancho High School, where a few of her descendents eventually attended school.

While she brought countless smiles to tourists and coworkers alike, Maria’s biggest accomplishments came in the form of her family and friends. Her home on East Owens in North Las Vegas was the epicenter of memory building, from birthdays and holidays to game nights and church gatherings. The party will live on in the hearts of many for years to come.

Maria is preceded in death and reunited with her husband, Enrique Jimenez, and her sister, Maria Osuna, brothers Jose Angel and Antonio Aquino, and she is survived by her sister, Socorro Sanchez, and her six children, who she had close relationships with throughout her life: Patricia Jimenez, Henry Jimenez, Belinda (Susi) Brooks, Brenda Aviles, Martin Jimenez and Arthur Jimenez. She was also blessed with 23 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter—a legacy cemented thanks to the care and love she showered each of them with.

It’s the memories of her cooking delicious Mexican dishes and traditional fare, such as tamales, her dancing tango in San Diego. Her love of dance carried out to various venues dancing the jarabe tapatio, and choreographed Quinceaneras Waltzes or other folklore shows in her community that left an impact on her loved ones. Thanks to her funny jokes and big smile, you always knew when Maria was around. When you greeted her, she would grab your face, give you a big kiss and usually say. “ay, mijita” or “ay, mijito” followed by a generous compliment. And, for the latter decades, she would be donning her sunglasses. Whether visiting the elderly to entertain them with her dancing or grooving in her Zumba class well into her early 80s thanks to her daughter, she danced through life spreading her joy for everyone else to experience—friends, family or perfect strangers, her love and hospitality extended to all.

Her faith drove her compassion for others. A member of the St. Christopher’s Catholic Church since 1964, she and her husband welcomed families to stay in her home if needed on numerous occasions and her generous financial contributions to assist those in need was outstanding. She gave with love and in return was cherished by so many. Maria’s light shined right up until the very end.

Celebration of Life Friday, December 15 5:30 PM

Reasons Banquet and Events Hall

3277 W Craig Road #140 North Las Vegas, NV 89032