Maria Chacon, 58

Maria Chacon, 58, passed away surrounded by her family at the Hospice House in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on the morning of Feb. 13, 2015.

Maria was born on Nov. 3, 1956, and raised in Jocotepec, Mexico. Her parents were Alejandro and Estefana Chavez. She was the seventh child born in a family of nine.

Maria was 14 years old when she met the love of her life, Norberto Chacon. They were married on Nov. 3, 1972, and together they had one son and five daughters.

In the late 70s the family moved to the United States and settled in Oxnard, Calif., before eventually moving to Bridgeport, Wash.

In 2009 Maria, or "Tita" as her grandchildren so lovingly called her, moved to Post Falls, Idaho, with her husband and three youngest daughters so that she could help raise her grandchildren. Maria had a license plate cover on her car that said 'Happiness is being a grandparent,' and that is how she truly felt. Her youngest grandson said just a couple of weeks ago, "Tita didn't teach me how to read, but she taught me how to love and care." What better gift could a grandmother give to her grandson than that?

Maria was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and wonderful friend. The void that is currently felt by her family will be with us for a long time to come. We will rely on each other and remember the life lessons that she taught us: To show unconditional love, respect one another regardless of differing opinions, take care of each other, stop to smell the flowers, and to keep a clean house and something delicious cooking on the stove because you never know who is going to stop by.

Maria is survived by all eight of her siblings; her husband, Norberto Chacon, of Post Falls; son Norberto Chacon (Janelle) of Post Falls, daughter Roxana Luna (Jose) of Post Falls, daughter Abigail Bedard (Randy) of San Antonio, Texas, daughter Katalina Chacon (Juan Hernandez), daughter Janette Chacon of Missoula, Mont., and daughter Dalia Chacon of Post Falls; grandchildren: Norberto, Valerie, Vaughn, Emeliza, Arianna, Alexander, Luciela, Joyceta, Victor and Kamilah.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Palliative Care Team at Kootenai Health - thank you for taking the time to talk to us, answer our questions and educate us on what our options were every step of the way. Thank you to the Hospice House Staff in Coeur d'Alene. You provided a warm place for us to be together as a family, fed us and consoled us.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 19, at St. George's Catholic Church, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls.

If you wish to make a donation in honor of Maria Chacon, they may be sent to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden Idaho, 83835.

Bell Tower Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and you may visit Maria's online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.