Maria "Marika" Vela Alvarez, age 79, of Hondo went home to be with our Heavenly Father Sunday, Jan. 26, 2013. Born in Hondo, Oct. 17, 1934, she was the daughter of Jose and Paula (Rendon) Vela. Marika was born and raised in Hondo where she met and married her husband the late Robert A. Alvarez, Sr. After marrying they remained in Hondo raising their five children. Marika was housewife and homemaker devoting all her time and love to her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. Marika doors were always open and no one ever left hungry, she was famous for her refried bean tacos. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Robert Alvarez Alvarez; and siblings, Manuel Vela, Ramona Cruz, Angelita Luna, Francisca Arcos and George A. Vela. Survivors include her children, Alvaro Alvarez, Diana Alvarez and husband Ray Gutierrez, Brenda Lopez and husband Frank, Robert "Bobby" Alvarez and wife Jill and Michael Ray Alvarez; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; sister-in-laws, Julia Loera and Valentina Vela; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m., at Guinn-Horger Chapel. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, followed by interment at Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section.