Maria Dolores (Ortega Serrano) Bailey Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Maria Dolores (Ortega Serrano) Bailey, 62, of Mesa, Arizona passed away, April 23, 2020. She left this world peacefully after a difficult and long battle with cancer. She was born in a little town in Sonora, Mexico in 1958. Early in her life she migrated to the United States. There she met her first husband and together raised three children. She was a devoted wife and mother and her love for her children was always a driving force for all she did. She attended nursing school but had to sacrifice her learning to dedicate her time to her family. Until her children were old enough, she started her own business and dedicated part of her time as a respite care provider for children with special needs. Maria lived her life like the wind. She let her heart take her to her next destination and never had any regrets. She lived her life to the fullest, living it how and where she wanted to. She loved the city life and always kept busy visiting friends and family where she was always helping others. It was fascinating that though she did not know how to swim, she was happiest near the beach. She loved spending time at the pool, Saguaro Lake, Lake Erie and the Sea of Cortez. Until her illness did not allow it anymore, she would spend lots of time at the beach or lake and traveling to see her grandchildren. During the last years of her life she enjoyed the cool weather and wildlife in Show Low during the summers with her husband Dale Bailey. During the winter she enjoyed being part of the Mesa East Quilters Club where she made friendships and helped make quilts for those in need. There are some many things that defined her: She was a wife. A mother. A friend and bright light to all those she met. She was proud of the children she raised and felt at peace with their accomplishments. Maria was also known for her lack of patience, not holding back her opinion and a knack for telling it like it is. She always told you the truth even if it was not what you wanted to hear. Still, her words of encouragement and wisdom and comfort kept her children in line and gave them something to pass down to their children. She was a person that was there for you during the most difficult times and would always be the first to offer help. She was always positive even during her fight against cancer. She held a great love for God and the Virgin Mary which also helped her keep great faith and a positive mind. She would ask for no one to cry but rejoice in the knowledge that she is at peace in heaven and free of pain. Maria was preceded in death by her mother and one sister. She is survived by her husband Dale Bailey; daughter Siria Quintero and husband Fernando Quintero of Florence, Arizona; son Luis A. Figueroa and wife Ambre Figueroa of Okinawa, Japan; and son, Joseph Figueroa and wife Christie Figueroa of Clarksville, Tennessee. She will be missed by all of her loving grandchildren: Cerat Quintero; Camillia and Isabella Figueroa; and Mariah and Liam Figueroa. Additionally, she is survived by her sisters Manuela Ortega of Arizona, Antonia Nuñez Velarde of Arizona, Josefina Esquer Ortega of Mexico and brother Martin Esquer Ortega of Mexico and many nieces and nephews that she loved and adored. To celebrate her life, have some seafood; listen to her favorite music from Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Juan Gabriel and Lauren Daigle and tell someone you love how much you care for them. Stay connected with people that are important to you. That is what she would want. In lieu of funeral services, and to honor Maria’s life, we ask that all who wish to participate, make a donation to Phoenix Children’s Hospital through Maria’s memorial website at http://action.phoenixchildrens.com/goto/Maria_Bailey

Maria Dolores (Ortega Serrano) Bailey

February 20, 1958 - April 23, 2020