Maria A. Mares, age 70, of Arcadia, Fl. passed away, August 17, 2008 in Arcadia. She was born April 27, 1938 in Mexico and lived in Arcadia since 1964, moving here from Wauchula, Fl. Maria enjoyed gardening, sewing, cooking and spending quality time with her family. Maria was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Arcadia, Fl.Survivors are her beloved husband, Efrain Mares, Sr., Arcadia, six sons, Juan Manuel (Maria) Mares, Anna, Texas, Jesus M. (Janice) Mares, Arcadia, Fl., Jose M. Mares, Sarasota, Fl., Rogileo (Leticia) Mares, Yakima, WA.,Pedro (Pamala) Mares, North Port, Fl. and Eliazar (Yoana) Mares, Arcadia, Fl. She leaves four daughters, Maria E. (Ernesto) Rios, Arcadia, S. Anita Mares, Wauchula, Rosa E. (Robert) Stainbrook and Ana B. Mares, both of Arcadia, Fl., Two brothers, Alfonso (Nahela) Maldonado, San Benito, TX and Francisco (Maria) Maldonado, Clewiston, Fl. sisters Consuelo Sanchez, Mexico, Alicia (Antonio) Olvera, Grand Praire, TX, Maria A. Lopez, Michigan, Hermalinda (Roman) Sierra, Mulberry, Fl. and daughter-in-law Nancy Mares, Bradenton, Fl. thirty one (31) grandchildren and twenty one (21) great grandchildren. Maria was preceded in death by two sons, Efrain "JR" Mares, Jr.Juan R. Mares, a daughter, Rosa E. Mares and sister, Rebecca Huerta.Visitation will be conducted from 6:00PM until 8:00PM Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at Ponger-Kays-Grady Chapel, 50 No. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia,Fl. 34266. A rosary recital will be at 7:00 PM.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00AM, Thursday, August 21, 2008 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, Arcadia, Fl. with burial to follow in Joshua Creek Cemetery, Arcadia, Fl.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 919 No. Arcadia Ave., Arcadia, Fl.4266Online condolences may be made at pongerkaysgrady.comPonger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.