Maria Teresa was born in Santa Ana, El Salvador Central America and come to the United States in 1950 as part of the Point Four Program under President Truman. Maria attended Louisiana State University and after completing the language program returned to El Salvador. In 1951, Maria participated in the Institute of Inter-American Affairs Program which was a continuation of the Point Four Program and returned to the United States.

The IIAA Program eventually took Maria to California where she met John at the University of California, Los Angeles. Maria and John were married in 1957 and settled down in Long Beach, California where both of her children; Mark Joseph and Lisa Marie were born. The family moved to Orange in 1974 where Maria lived the rest of her life, actively involved in supporting her children and grandchildren, as well as, the Sister City Organization and the Little Red Wagon Foundation.

Maria is survived by her husband John, son Mark and his wife Karen; daughter Lisa and her three grandchildren Patrick, Jordanne and Rachel.

Graveside services were held December 27, 2013.