Maria Ofelia Islas passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026, at home in the presence of family, at the age of 93. She was born in Nogales, Arizona on June 16, 1933, and was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Porfirio “Buddy”, her parents Octavio and Maria Carrasco, her brother Octavio, her sister Lucy, and grandson Austin.

She is survived by her children Eddie (Cindy), Patsy (Sergio), Mark, Roxy (Bobby), and Danny (JoLynn); grandchildren Rene (Michele), Gregory (Jill), Aleya, Melina, Sylvanna, Eric, Danielle, Andres, and Aiden; and great-grandchildren Maximilian, Michaela, Myles, Madison, Gigi, and Julian. Our mom and Nana was extremely devoted to her family and faith. She was a working mom throughout her life while she raised a family of 5 children and then, into retirement, kept working as a Nana for her grandchildren. She helped raise them as babies and then also cared for them at home during their school years, watching them before and after school on a daily basis.

Her faith never wavered, through the ups and downs of life, as she prayed daily and never missed attending mass. When she could no longer attend mass in person she would watch it daily on TV and pray her rosary daily. She will be greatly missed, but also greatly remembered, by family and friends for her patience, kindness, generosity, and compassion which will live on in each of us.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1375 S. Camino Seco in Tucson on August 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Francis de Sales Parish or some organization that provides services and support to homeless persons.