Maria De Jesus Bañuelos

In Loving Memory

Maria de Jesus Gallinar Banuelos (1943-2025) 

Maria de Jesus Gallinar Banuelos, beloved mother to six children, grandmother to twelve and great-grandmother to seven passed away surrounded by family in Porter, TX on August 2nd, 2025, leaving a void her family cannot fill.  

Born in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico on January 6th, 1943 to Jose Gallinar Reyes, a nurse practitioner, and Esperanza Marquez Acosta, a homemaker. Her father was well respected and loved by their community, providing medicines and services for free to those who did not have the means to pay. Her mother was a very loving and dedicated homemaker. Unfortunately Maria’s mother passed away when Maria was nine, and ultimately she became an orphan when her father passed away seven years after. Maria did not let these hardships stop her from bettering herself. With the goal of becoming a nun, she was able to attend school for free in memory of her father. Though she only had one uniform she would wash day after day and borrowed books she would study in her free time (often at midnight or later), she was able to obtain her degree in public accounting from Colegio Patria in Fresnillo. Her education was very important to her and she always stressed to her children that education was the only inheritance she would leave them.  

She met the love of her life, Ramiro Banuelos Sr. in 1962 at a movie theatre outing with her classmates from Colegio Patria. It was love at first sight and Maria let go of any previous aspirations of becoming a nun. Early on in their relationship there was a houseparty that Maria knew Ramiro would be at. At the time, Maria was afflicted with Bells Palsy and wore a scarf over her face to hide the evidence. She was hoping Ramiro would not notice and she was especially hoping he would not ask her to dance. As fate determined - Ramiro did ask Maria to dance and the rest was history. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married shortly after in Fresnillo, Zacatecas on April 15, 1963. Together, Maria and Ramiro would go on to have 6 children.

Maria was known for many things - a dancer, the life of any party, a loving mother, wife, daughter and sister, a service oriented friend, and everyone’s biggest support. One could find her dancing her heart out at family parties, church events and quinceneras. It was no doubt that her bright light shone for all to see through her infectious smile and supportive spirit. She loved her children with every fibre of her being - always there to be the biggest cheerleader they ever had. This unwavering support continued on to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her daughter remembers she would often say  “Daughter, you are strong like a sequoia tree - strong winds can blow your branches but never break them.” Maria was truly selfless and wanted to see her family be the best versions of themselves.

 Anywhere that Maria went, she was sure to find a friend or make a new one. Her late husband Ramiro Sr. would often tell her “If rocks could talk, you would talk to them”. Anyone who knew Maria was lucky to have her. She was not only selfless but compassionate, and empathetic. She never complained or got tired of serving  those she loved. She took care of her husband until his last breath.  

Maria was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), devoting her time and energy to her callings and service.

Maria aka Mina (Madrecita) will always be remembered for her light and beautiful spirit and the way that she always instilled faith in God in all of her children. We’ll always imagine hearing her say “Have faith, La mente controla el cuerpo” one more time. We couldn’t have asked for a better madrecita (mom) and will miss Maria aka Mina every day. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.  

Maria  was preceded in death by her husband Ramiro Banuelos Sr.  and is survived by her children Lina  Banuelos Swanson, Isabel  Banuelos Swanson, Monica Banuelos Gutierrez, Ramiro Banuelos Jr., Raul Banuelos, and Ricardo Banuelos.