Maria de Los Angeles Yepez was a pastor alongside her husband of 40 years at the Universal Christian Church of The Salvation Army. A native of Mexico, she also served on The Salvation Army’s advisory board in Fresno. Maria would take people’s problems to heart when they confided in her and had a special way of making them feel that everything was going to be alright.

Maria died on January 25, 2009 at the age of 57. In donating both kidneys and her liver, she was able to save three lives. “The loss of our mother has left a family and congregation devastated, for she was the heart of many different circles that she not only belonged to, but also came from,” said her daughter, Brenda Yepez.

As a donor, Maria’s last act on earth was helping, consistent with a life spent working in the name of God. She did this best through The Salvation Army, where she took an active role in organizing children’s programs. Maria was known to hold meetings of The Salvation Army Sunbeams for girls to teach them about life and God. Brenda recalls that her mother was “very well-respected and was like a second mother to most of the children that were lucky enough to meet her.

“Because of our mother’s selfless act, we, too, have become organ donors. We see what a wonderful gift it is to be able to give someone the gift of continued life. Not only can people’s lives be saved and changed forever, but your loved ones will have the assurance that you are still here on this earth with them.”