Maria Block-Saldana

Maria Block, 84, of Port Arthur passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, Texas.

Maria was born on April 5, 1936 in Lockhart, Texas to parents Santiaga (Calderon) and Manual Flores. She had lived in the Port Arthur area for many years and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where she was on the Altar Society. Maria was a loving and compassionate person who will be dearly missed.

There are some people, and Maria was one of them, who are so large that they fill spaces in our lives even when they are gone. We are overwhelmingly heartbroken and will forever have a hole in our hearts, but we rest assured knowing that she is home in the presence of Jesus. Maria never stopped deepening her faith, clinging to God's promises when He says, "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD" (Romans 8:38-39). We rejoice in knowing that she is wrapped up in the everlasting arms of Christ and her fiercely loving presence remains with us always.

During her time in Houston, TX, Maria was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church and dedicated her Sunday's to teaching Sunday school and also hosted the annual Christmas program. She spent the weekends with her grandchildren teaching them about Catholicism and being outdoors exploring the many hidden gems of Houston and surrounding areas. Maria was very proud about making healthy choices and exercising. She would jog every dayand loved to take the grandkids to Memorial Park to explore the trails. After the park she would take them to her favorite restaurant, Fuzzy's Pizza.

Maria was very active in politics and campaigned for the Presidency of George H.W. Bush. Locally within her own community of Port Arthur, she once ran for City Council Position District 8. A true matriarch of both family and service, who always championed for the betterment of the community. Maria was honored by Mayor Oscar G. Ortiz of Port Arthur, proclaiming May 8, as Las Posadas and Bethleham on the Boardwalk Volunteer Day, for her service and dedication for over 6 years to the lighting up of downtown Port Arthur along with songs and the spread of the Christmas Spirit.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Bobby Block, her second husband, Louis Saldana, brothers Ernest Flores, Andrew Flores and sister Marcela Hamblin.

Maria is survived by her daughter, Maria “Mia” McLane and her husband, Chris of Spring, TX, her brother, Gregory Flores and his wife, Alice of Port Arthur, TX, her sisters, Maggie Ayala and her husband, Guadalupe of Bellville, TX and her sister Dora Flores of Bellville, TX. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Kimberly Guajardo, Danielle Guajardo, A. J. Guajardo, five great grandchildren, Oscar “Pops” Castillo, Jerry “J.J.” Martinez Jr., Madelyn Romero, Avery Romero and Cash Carter Castillo, numerous nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Memory Gardens in Nederland. . Services were provided by her late husband, Louis Saldana

Due to the Covid-19 crisis we are currently in, all visitors to the funeral home and cemetery are required to wear facemask or coverings and practice social distancing as mandated by State and County officials.