Maria Elena Morales' Obituary
Maria Elena was born on April 13, 1964 in Lima, Peru. She leaves behind three beloved children: Alex age 16, Adriana age 14 and Andrea age 11. Her mother died of breast cancer when Maria Elena was 17. With support from her mother’s family, she found motivation to excel in school and graduated from Catholic University in Lima, Peru with a law degree. In 1991, she moved to Walla Walla, WA to attend Whitman College and acquired a BA degree. She also went on to get a master’s degree in education in the U.S. Maria Elena taught kids in Minnesota and on a reservation in North Dakota before moving to Texas. She was an elementary school teacher in the Dallas School district for many years until September 2017 when she was overcome by cancer and could no longer teach. Maria Elena was a dedicated teacher and mother. She was passionate about helping children and was admired by her students and their parents. She received a teacher of the year award by Walmart. She battled breast, lung, bone and liver cancer towards the end of her life. She was aided in her fight by her loyal friends: Martha Neil, Martha Zermello, Paula Barron, Angela Ramirez and Teresa Wilcock. They drove her to her doctor’s appointments as far as Houston, fed her, clothed her and lifted her spirits. Her childhood friend Teresa traveled from Utah several times and finally took her to hospice. Maria Elena’s family in Peru and the U.S. are eternally grateful to these women who helped when they couldn’t due to the distance. Maria Elena lost custody of her children in 2009 and fought to get them back until the end of her life. She took on part-time jobs as an Uber driver and created online educational materials-all her money went to pay lawyers, alimony and cancer treatment. She fought injustice and cancer and lost, but she never lost her faith in God. A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 13th at 2pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church -8000 Eldorado Parkway Frisco, TX 75033. Memorial gifts can be made to an account called: Trust for the Three Kids, it will provide for her children: #RBF c.u. 5269-2900-2454-7210.
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