Maria del Refugio Raygoza Real de lglesias was born on July 23,1943, in Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico, to Antonio Raygoza and Guadalupe Real. She was the second of seven children. Maria immigrated to the U.S as a young teen. She graduated from La Puente High School, in La Puente California. After high school, Maria began working in a factory in Los Angeles with her cousins. One day while listening to the radio, she heard an ad for a secretarial position. This job would lead her to meet, Eduardo, the father of her children. Maria had seven children with Eduardo, Lulu, Mara, Manolo, Gabie, Louie, Ted, and John. Maria later started her own business and was self-employed for 50 years. She helped countless individuals and families obtain legal status and live the American Dream.

Maria remarried in mid-life. Her husband Manuel F. Iglesias, the love of her life, was dotingly referred to as "Puno" and "Grandpa". Maria was revered by Manuel's children, Haydee, Chago, Lin, Joaqui, and Tono, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Maria will be laid to rest next to her "Nene" at Arlington National Cemetery.

Maria loved to travel. In 2017, she made a life-long dream come true by traveling to Spain on her birthday. Maria was an avid reader, her favorite authors included Gabriel Garcia, Marquez, Isabel Allende, Julio Cortazar, Louise Erdrich, and John Steinbeck.

Maria was "Grandma" to 22 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was loved unconditionally and will be loved eternally. Rest in peace mamita linda.