Maria San Juana Ayala Torres, “Janie,” age 61, entered the gates of heaven on September 30, 2021, with her children and husband by her side. She was born on December 29, 1959, to Noe Octavio Ayala Sr. and Rebecca G. Ayala in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Janie was a true believer in Christ and worshipped God with all her heart and soul. She always lived her life to the fullest, never took a day for granted, and truly believed that every day spent on earth was a blessing. Janie spent every chance she got making beautiful memories with her family and friends as they were her true pride and joy. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren dearly and never missed an opportunity to remind them every chance she had. Sharing her experiences about life with her loved ones was always important to her, along with giving heartfelt advice, supporting others, and offering a shoulder to lean on whenever she was needed. Some of her hobbies included singing, dancing, working out and gardening.
Janie was a warrior of God and will always be remembered for her selflessness and kind heart. She continuously put others first and never hesitated to lend a helping hand if an opportunity arose, and because of this, everyone who she crossed paths with loved her dearly. Janie had a beautiful smile that would light up a room, and an infectious laugh that made others feel an immediate sense of happiness and joy. When she was around others, it was always a fun time as she truly was the life of the party. Her humbleness, strong faith, positivity and immense love for her husband, children, family, and friends will always be reminisced.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Noe and Rebecca Ayala, grandparents, Jose J. and Maria San Juana Ayala, (paternal) Dolores Garcia, (maternal) stepson, Nicholas E. Valdez, nephews, Jason Joe Benavidez and Joel Ayala, and cousin, Elizabeth Rodriguez.
Left to cherish and keep her memories alive are her husband, Rudolfo “Rudy” Valdez; children, Leanne (Xavier) Ponce De Leon, Stephanie (Arturo) Torres-Mendez, and Brandon (Ashley) Torres; stepsons, Jonathan E. Valdez, and Christopher E. Valdez; grandchildren, Ryan Ponce De Leon, Victoria Ponce De Leon, Bryan Ponce De Leon, Dylan Ponce De Leon, and Mia Ponce De Leon; Arabella Mendez, Arturo Mendez Jr. and Ayven Mendez; Abigail Torres, Johnathan Torres, Rihanna Torres, and Brooke Torres; Nicholas (Vada) Valdez, Jonathan Valdez, and Coby (Jazmin) Valdez; furbabies, Toby, Bonita, and Rooster; 9 siblings, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Seaside Reid Chapel with a Memorial Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that same evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers are her grandsons, Ryan Ponce De Leon, Bryan Ponce De Leon, Dylan Ponce De Leon, Arturo Mendez Jr., Ayven Mendez, Johnathan Torres, Nicholas Valdez, and Coby Valdez.
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
We love you always and forever.