Maria Teresa Santos Pineda, age 73, of Loves Park, IL, passed away on July 30, 2024. She was born March 14, 1951 in Mexico to her loving parents, Dustano Santos Perez and Victoria Pineda Mendoza.

Maria was married to Martin Santoyo for 33 years before his passing in 1999. She and her second husband, Dionicio Banderas, were happily married for 24 years.

In her early life, Maria earned her GED diploma and assisted in teaching elementary students in the rural areas of Nocupetaro, Michoacán, Mexico. Later, she became the proud owner of a family restaurant in Mexico before retiring to spend time with her children and grandchildren.

Maria embodied care, love, loyalty, and encouragement, nurturing both her children and grandchildren.  Her thoughtfulness and generosity extended to those in need.  A resilient fighter, she never gave up, always embracing new experiences, and inspiring others to grow and succeed in life.

Maria enjoyed cooking, cross-stitching, and crocheting. She also loved learning new techniques from YouTube. Her greatest passion was spending quality time with her kids, playing games, and occasionally outwitting them in the Mexican lottery board game. With countless unique moments, too valuable to quantify, her love enveloped her family.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Martin Santoyo; and daughter, Elaine Dela Rosa. She is survived by her second husband, Dionicio Banderas Pita; children, Nerida Santoyo, Isabel Gomez, Bladimir Santoyo, Georgina Santoyo, Angela Rivas, Anilu Santoyo, Itzia Santoyo, Danary Santoyo, and Ademir Santoyo; siblings, Eustorgio Santos, Jose Santos, and Ramiro Santos; 29 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 12:00pm until funeral service at 2:00pm, Monday, August 5, 2024, at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Pastor Reyna Martinez will be officiating.

To access the funeral service remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on via Zoom (Meeting ID: 816 3628 4099, Password: 809464).

Interment to follow at Dundee Township East Cemetery, 420 Dundee Avenue, East Dundee, IL 60118.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.