Maria (De La Garza) Stach

Maria Stach (nee De La Garza), of Monroe, NY, passed away on December 2, 2023. She was 85 years old. Born on December 6, 1937, in Laredo, Texas, Maria was the daughter of the late Melecio and Maria De La Garza and was a sister to Frank, Mel, and Pita. She was a proud Texan that rose from humble beginnings and graduated from Raymond & Tirza Martin High School in 1954. While working at Laredo National Bank in 1963, she met the man of her dreams and future husband, Willy, a German Airman training with the United States Air Force at Laredo Air Force Base.

As newlyweds, Maria and Willy moved to Germany, where their first daughter, Bonnie, was born. Returning to the United States, the Stach family grew with the births of daughter Melinda and son Max. They lived throughout the country in Kansas, Arizona, California, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, and New Jersey. While Willy excelled in his career in aviation, Maria had a long and successful career in banking for over 43 years, eventually rising to the position of Assistant Vice President at Midland Bank of New Jersey and United Jersey Bank, where she served as platform officer, a human resource officer and branch manager. Maria loved working as a professional but was, first and foremost, a mom who tirelessly encouraged her children to pursue their dreams and never allow doubt or circumstances to stand in their way. 

Maria loved traveling with her husband and toured the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. She was especially passionate about visiting catholic cathedrals and holy sites. Maria enjoyed sewing, gardening, home decorating, and crafts. She and Willy loved hopping in the car and going on long drives, including going to Maine and back in a single day just to eat lobster. She loved to dance at parties and was an avid shopper, always looking for a good sale – especially on shoes! Maria was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and would ultimately return to Dallas with Willy in retirement.

Maria was predeceased by her husband Willy in 2017 and moved to Monroe, NY, where she lived with her daughter Bonnie and several Chihuahuas who loved to spend time cuddling with her on the couch. Late in life, Maria lived with dementia, but never got tired of going out to restaurants to eat (especially Mexican), dancing, listening to mariachis, and spending time with her children and grandson Jake. 

Maria is predeceased by her sister, Pita Chaires; brother, Mel De La Garza; and sister-in-law, Graciela. She is survived by her brother Frank De La Garza, and sister-in-law, Connie; brother-in-law, Joe Chaires; her three children: Bonnie, Melinda Michelle, and Max; daughter-in-law, Sara, and grandson, Jacob; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and other family members.

A wake will be held on December 8, 2023, from 6 PM to 9 PM, at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, located at 109 Darlington Avenue, Ramsey, NJ 07446. A funeral mass will follow on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church at 900 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430. She will join her beloved husband in restful repose at Redeemer Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Maria Stach to the Dementia Society of America by mail to P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at https://www.DementiaSociety.org/donate

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