Maria Esther Magallanes, age 76, of Portage passed away Sunday august 22, 2021 at Northwest Health Porter in Valparaiso. She was born January 7, 1945, in Los Alamitos, Zacatecas, Mexico to the late Enrique and Herminia (Correa) Gonzalez.  Maria taught school in Mexico prior to coming to America where she raised her family.  Maria loved caring for her family. She was very artistic, loved sewing, and collecting dolls.  She was a member St, Francis Xavier Church in Lake Station.

Maria is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Salvador Magallanes, Sr.; three children, Enrique (Patricia) Magallanes, Elida (Ismael) Haro, and Salvador (Luz Maria) Magallanes, Jr., all of Portage; eight grandchildren, Crystal Gabrielle Magallanes, Lisette Araceli Magallanes, Marco Alexander Magallanes, Jessica Haro, Marco Antonio Haro, Salvador Magallanes, III, Alyssa Roxanne Magallanes, and Liliana Magallanes; five brothers and sisters, Aurea Rivas, Jose Maria Gonzalez, Olga Gonzalez, Refugio Gonzalez, and Rosa Gonzalez.

Maria was preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Delia Gomez and Emma Ortega.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin promptly with 9:15 am Prayers Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368 and process to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2447 Putnam Street, Lake Station, IN 46405 with Rev. Jaime Perea celebrating.  Visitation will be from 2-8 pm Friday at the Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, IL.

Maria's family has requested that everyone please wear face masks.