Maria R. "Cuca" Palacios

Maria R. “Cuca” Palacios

Maria del Refugio “Cuca” Berrones Palacios, 93, of Pharr, Texas, passed away on December 9, 2025.

Born on September 3, 1932, in McAllen, Texas, Cuca was the fifth-born of ten siblings. From a young age, she grew up singing in church, nurturing a lifelong love of music. She later shared her beautiful voice as part of a singing trio featured on a weekly local TV program. Around this time, she met the love of her life, Artemio “Chemo” Palacios, and together they built a loving home, family, and marriage that lasted 70 years.

A devoted wife and mother, Cuca embraced adventure as she and her family were stationed at U.S. Army bases around the world, including Germany, Panama, San Francisco, and San Antonio. She had a natural talent for working with her hands—crocheting, puzzles, and other crafts brought her joy. She loved to read and learn languages and helped coordinate online foreign-language courses at PSJA North High School. Strong in her faith, she lived her life with kindness, generosity, and quiet strength, serving as a model for all who knew and loved her.

The last few years revealed even more of her bright personality—her quick wit, gentle mischief, and the sense of humor that always seemed to catch people by surprise. Even as she faced challenges, she brought laughter and light to those around her. Most of all, she cherished being a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, doting on three generations who will forever carry forward her love and legacy.

Cuca is preceded in death by her son, Artemio “Chemito” Palacios Jr.; her parents, Victor and Guadalupe Berrones; her brothers, Victor (Emma) Berrones Jr. and Casimiro Berrones; and her sisters, Guadalupe “Lupe” Lozano, Bertha (Tony) Fuentes, Eloisa “Locha” (Lico) Arjona, Julia Salas, Teresa “Tere” (Louis) Pontius, and Maria Inez “Fuchi” Berrones.

She is survived by her loving husband, Artemio “Chemo” Palacios; her three children, Norma (James) Hampton, Jorge (Linda) Palacios, and Diana Hinojosa, all of Pharr, Texas; one sister, Mercedes “Chela” (Frank) Solana of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren, William John (Jennifer) Perry, Lisa (Victor) Perry, Jason (Krystal) Perry, Gina (Ryan) Trimble, and Justin Cantu; three great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., with a 6 p.m. rosary on Thursday, December 11, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral Mass will take place at 12 noon on Friday, December 12, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Pharr, followed by interment at 1 p.m. at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.

Her warmth, strength, and unwavering faith live on in all the lives she touched.

Thank you to the nursing and ancillary staff at McAllen Transitional Care Center for their dedicated service in caring for Cuca over the last few months.