On February 23, 2024, Marie Doñes Escalera (birth name Maria Luisa Doñes) passed away peacefully at Annette Robinson's Private Home Care.

She was born October 12, 1947, in Florence, Texas. She was the 5th of 11 children born to Maria Sandoval Doñes & Francisco Doñes Sr. in Florence, Texas. In 1967 she graduated from Dimmitt High School in Dimmitt, Texas, she was the first Doñes high school graduate.

On September 16, 1967, she married Francisco Castro Escalera in Greeley, Colorado and in 1969 they settled in Santa Monica, California where she pursued her career as an ESL teacher for 43 years. In about 2012 she retired & in 2018 she moved back to Texas settling in Florence, Texas.

Preceding in death are her parents, Maria & Francisco Doñes Sr.; her husband, Francisco C. Escalera; sisters Juanita S. Doñes, Natalie D. Falcon, Julia D. Castanuela, Mary D. Dufour & Josephine S. Doñes; two brothers, Gregorio (George) S. Doñes & Francisco S. Doñes Jr., numerous Uncles & Aunts; cousins; nieces & nephews. Surviving children are Gregory Gonzalo Escalera (wife, Lori A. Escalera) & Jessica Escalera, two sisters, Ramona S. Doñes & Martina (Marty) S. Doñes and brother, Jesus S. Doñes Sr., one Aunt Maria Elena Sandoval Alaniz: several nieces, nephews, & cousins.