Maria A Desmond

Maria Antonia Desmond, Tonita, Mari, passed from this life on the evening of February 21, 2024 at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. She was surrounded by her loving family, blessed by the prayers and blessings of her community.

Born on a coffee plantation in the beautiful San Bartolomé Becerra, a village on the outskirts of Antigua Guatemala, Maria was raised by a hard-working and devoted mother, Victoria "Toya" Garcia. Toya was widowed during her pregnancy with Maria and never even attempted another
romantic relationship, putting all of her efforts into working to provide for her young, precocious daughter. It was this level of loyalty, hard work, and selflessness that shaped young Maria's heart and mind.

As a young woman, Maria came to the United States where she met and married Robert Desmond. Together they raised their three children despite many economic and medical challenges. Their adventures led them through homes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Gallup before they settled in to their chosen desert home of Ridgecrest, CA.

Always a devout Catholic, after losing her husband in 1995, she took on her role in the faith community with a new fervor, contributing to others with her limited financial means and limitless love and energy. She volunteered with and/or helped create many groups including The Legion of Mary, a Spanish Sunday Study Group, a Señor de los Milagros group. Beyond that, she was also pivotal to annual posada traditions and widely-loved Lady of Guadalupe celebrations.

She was a pillar of faith and a genuine example of selflessness, but she was also creative and, for those she felt comfortable with, she was hysterically funny.

There are no words for how deeply she will be missed.

She is survived by her children, Chaelo, Lara and Sean, her grandchildren, Shaylynn and LaraLee, her great grandson, Diarmuid, and many beloved family members throughout the United States and Guatemala.

Funeral service will be held at St Ann Catholic Church in Ridgecrest, CA on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 10am preceded by a rosary at 9:30am. Reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

Any contributions to her funeral and surrounding expenses for the family can be made to the Maria Desmond Memorial Fund at: https://gofund.me/818a326c