Maria Antonia Langa Denlar

This is the story of the life of a wonderful and strong woman named Maria Antonia Langa Denary who was born April 13, 1959 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She was born and raised in Santo Domingo with her two older sisters Charo and Cristian and brother Nelson. Her loving mother Catalina and father Bienvenido raised Maria to be an independent woman. Maria attended College Iquique which took her from kindergarten through her high school years. After attending Universidad Autonomy de Santo Domingo for medicine she also worked as a secretary in the school office while taking classes. In late 1979 Maria moved to the United States to live with her sister and soon traveled across America going to Miami, Florida, Los Angles, California, and then she finally landed in Dallas, Texas, where she met her husband Rex Karl Denlar. During Maria's time is the United States she taught herself to read, write and to speak English. Maria met Rex working at a local sign company. On January 20, 1984 Maria and Rex got married and soon after their first child Stephanie was born on March 5, 1985. Maria's second child Christopher was born April 28, 1989; he was born two months premature and they learned soon after his birth that he had suffered serious birth defects. Maria and Rex were devastated with the hardships of caring for a child with critical health problems. However Maria believed that somehow this would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Christopher's health condition has improved greatly and he is now stable. Maria's 3rd child Nathan was born on November 24, 1993 with a healthy body and a smile on his face.

Some of you also know her as "Julie". Maria, Rex and a girl friend of hers all worked together at a local sign company in Dallas. Maria had an interest in Rex and her co-worker said she would introduce them. Maria said no, not by the name of Maria, there are so many Marias; so she chose the name "Julie". Rex and his family know and call Maria by the name of "Julie".

Throughout Maria's years of being a fulltime mother and working to support her family, Rex became very ill with his liver disease. Rex was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was shot and wounded while serving our country. During his time of injury Rex was given a blood transfusion and later in life he developed many health problems. In July of 2003 Rex received a liver transplant and a couple months later he developed an infection and passed away October 2, 2003. Maria's world began to fall apart when she became a widow, with three children to raise. Throughout these hard times Maria kept her faith strong for her family and especially for her kids. Maria has always been a woman of strong faith and belied in doing what's right. Maria dealt with many trials and tribulations in during her life and yet always kept a positive attitude.

A few months after Rex passed away a new life was given to Maria with the birth of her first grandson on February 4, 2004. His name is Savior Markel Rex; Maria calls him "Savy". She had a new joy in her life and Savion was given his grandpa's name as his middle name ~ Rex. He is now five years old and is ready to start kindergarten. Savion has always called Maria "Nana"; she was able to prepare him for his first day of school with a cool new backpack and school supplies.

In April of 2009 Maria, Stephanie, Christopher, Nathan and her Savy went on a family trip to Dominican Republic for her niece's wedding. Maria was the witness for her niece Isis's wedding. This was definitely a hard trip for Maria to make since the cancer was taking over her body. Overall she had a good time and was able to spend time with family and friends.

Unfortunately, Maria was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006. She was seen by many doctors and went through many surgeries to return her to full health. After many surgeries and several tests Maria received more bad news that her cancer has spread. As always Maria was determined to fight the cancer with chemo and other alternatives. In 2009 her cancer took a turn for the worse at stage four and God called her to Heaven at 6:30 AM on August 19, 2009. She was much loved and will always be remembered.

Maria is preceded in death by her husband Rex Denlar and her father Bienvido Langa and brother Nelson. She is survived by her children, Beth Lafferty, Stephanie Denlar, Christopher Denlar and Nathan Denlar, grandson, Savy Miles and one grandchild on the way, her mother Catalina Langa, sisters, Cristian Langa and Rosario Langa, nieces and nephews, Isis Sykes, Jose Fernandez, Carlos Cruz, Nelson Alvarez, Jr., Cindy Galarcep, Michelle, Renee, Zachy, mother in law, Ethel Denlar, brother in law, Brad Denlar and sisters in law, Bonnie and Diane Denlar.

A vigil service will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX. 75023. A funeral mass will be held to celebrate Maria's life on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. There will be a reception to follow the mass at the Fellowship Hall and Maria will be laid to rest at DFW National Cemetery.

The family would like to say a few special thank you's to the following:
Thank you God for giving us Maria and for the angels you sent to help her; Suzanne, Frances, Pat, Linda Bell, Mary and Jim. For a wonderful mother figure, Frances Nance and for best friends who were like a brother and sister, Ken and Hedy McAlister.

For the doctor's who took such good care of her in her last days; Dr. Joseph Miller, Dr. Christopher Stokoe, Dr. Brown and all the staff at Medical Center of Plano and Grace Hospice.

For all the love and care given to our family from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Father Henry Petter for is kindness and strong spirit.
The A&E Stores for their kind consideration.

To all of the family members and friends for the prayers and support of our family. Maria will be forever in our hearts.

If desired, memorials may be made in Maria's name to The American Cancer Society, P O Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK. 73123-1718 or 1-800-227-2345.

En primavera cuando la tierra se viste de colores y el pasto de verde
al amanecer de un 13 de abril una Hermosa nina abrio sus ojos al
mundo en la ciudad de Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana. La
nombraron Maria Antonia sus nombres son la combinacion de los
nombres de de su abuela materna y su abuelo paterno. En casa las
llamabamos "Mery".
Sus padres Bienvenido Langa y Catalina Figueroa , sus hermanos
Nelson, Cristian y Charo se regocijaron por su llegada.

Crecio en la ciudad de Santo Domingo llenando la casa de alegria con
Sus juegos y su sonrisa que la caracterizo por siempre.
Realizo sus estudios primarios, intermedios y secundarios en el Colegio Quisqueya
Secretaria Ejecutiva en el Instituto Pedro Henriquez Urena.
Concluyo sus estudios secundarios a los 16 anos e ingreso a la Universidad Autonoma
de Santo Domingo, donde curso varios anos en la Escuela de Medicina.
Vino a los Estados Unidos sin sospechar que adoptaria este pais como el suyo.
Donde la vida le daria el regalo de encontrar a "Rex" un maravilloso hombre,
con el cual procreo su mas preciado tesoro sus hijos Stephanie, Christopher y
Nathan.
Transcurrieron los anos convirtiendola en una mujer fuerte con gran enteresa y
una fe inquebrantable. Recibio con un amor inmenso, a un nino especial, la enfer-
medad y perdida de su esposo
Con gran valentia siguio hacia adelante con sus tres hijos, supliendoles sus necesidades
y sobre todo dandole lo que mas abundaba en ella AMOR'.
Para compensar la ausencia de su esposo, Dios le regalo la alegria de un nieto
"Savion".
Uno de sus suenos anhelados, era que sus hijos conocieran su tierra
natal. Dios le dio la oportunidad de hacer su sueno realidad en el pa-
sado mes de Abril , cuando asistio como madrina a la boda de su sobrina
Isis.
Tubo la satisfaccion de compartir con sus hijos lugares historicos, el sol