Mary A. Soria

SORIA, Mary A. Mary Albina Soria was born in Rociada New Mexico, a small town outside Santa Fe, on October 9th, 1927 to Rochel Romero and Juan Lujan. Mary was the oldest of her four siblings - Paul, Helen, Ben and Ernie. As a young lady Mary attended nursing school in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mary met Bernard G. Soria, a striking young World War II soldier and Santa Barbara native, while working ad a nurse in a local veterans hospital. Bernard was in Canyon City to recover from being wounded in Germany. She married Bernard G. Soria at the Santa Barbara Mission in December 1945. The two were rumored to be quite a dance duo and were no strangers to dance nights at the Hollywood Palladium. Once settled in Santa Barbara they started a family and moved into a little house on the lower riviera. They soon had two boys John Bernard Soria and Steven T. Soria. She was a very nurturing mother and soon became a grandmother of three little Soria grandchildren - Julie, Steven and Vanessa Soria. Their education and overall well-being was always her highest priority. She was most famous for her Chili Verde dinners which varied in spiciness depending on her mood while adding the fresh chilies. It was always a pleasure to sit down at grandma Mary's dinner table. She had an amazing green thumb and was no stranger to the garden. Her roses were unlike any other and were a marvel of excellence in the "Spanish Santa Barbara" style. Her craft skills were excellent and she worked ritualistically on knitting projects, then would donate little beanie hats she created to foster children to wear. But, one of the most outstanding characteristics of Mary was her tremendous religious faith. She spent many years of her time at Our Lady Of Sorrow's Catholic Church volunteering her time and friendship by serving soup and donuts. At the age of 83 years old, she will be remembered for loving her great-grandchildren with all her heart: Mason Cortez, Violet Mary Soria and Auston Cortez. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 4, 10:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrow's Church, followed by the interment at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels. To leave online condolences, please visit www.wrhsb.com.

Mary A. Soria

October 9, 1927 - July 29, 2011