Maria Soledad Mendez Bringas
Maria Soledad Gutierrez Mendez Bringas, better known as ama, madrecita, nana, Dona Chole, “mi nanita”, tancha, passed away peacefully on Sunday October 12, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona with loved ones at her side. Soledad was preceded in death by her parents Ciro Gutierrez and Leonidez Mendez, her grandparents Nemecio Gutierrez and Timotea Flores Gutierrez, her husband Benjamin Bringas, her beloved sons Agustin Gutierrez, Jose Luis Bringas, Benjamin Bringas and Fernando Bringas and her grandson Eleazar who was always by her side.
She is survived by her daughters Maria Guadalupe Bringas, Ana Lilia Rico Bringas and Silvia Gutierrez. She is also survived by her 24 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 16 tataranietos!
Soledad was born on August 15, 1916 in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato Mexico to her papacitos Ciro Gutierrez and Maria Leonidez Mendez. Much later in life she finally learned the cause of both her parents deaths. They had died of the Spanish flu, leaving her, age 3 and her younger brother Enrique Gutierrez orphaned. As she remembered and spoke about often, she was then lovingly raised by her devout Catholic grandparents, uncles and aunts who she spoke of with great adoration. It was with her Tia Isaura who she accompanied to Catholic mass several times a week as a child. As she recalled, Soledad had a moment of rebeldia and left Dolores Hidalgo as a teenager. “Y que volo la monjita!”
From there, she travelled north with her 1st born Agustin and settled in Naco, Sonora Mexico where she met her husband Benjamin Bringas and had her 6 children with him. She was a great mother to her children.
In Naco she was known, and remembered fondly for her kindness, selflessness and willingness to help and give to others even though she lived a humble life. She had many friends in Naco. When she could, she traveled with her friends from Naco to Fort Huachuca and Bisbee to play Bingo. She joked that Bingo and later on casinos were her only vice!
When her children started their own families, she soon followed them to the United States in the 1970s. She spent her time selflessly caring for her grandchildren, accompanying them to many places like Disneyland, or camping in northern Arizona. Many of her grandchildren were lucky to travel with her. Whether it be a greyhound to California to visit family, a train ride to Cananea, or a road trip to Hollywood and Puerto Penasco, it was always a cherished time. She took her grandchildren on walks to the park, circle K, and on the city bus to the old tower plaza for a movie.
She showed us her love with every dish she made, whether it be a simple fried egg, frijoles de oya, fresh tortillas, or a beautiful lemon merengue birthday pie. She made Christmas Eve memorable with her tamales de chile rojo. We are lucky to have learned some of the special dishes she was known for. Tamales de dulce, pozole, enchiladas, and bunuelos to name a few.
Aside from cooking amazing food and spending time with her family, Soledad enjoyed other things that brought her pleasure. Reading Geomundo, libros de adivinanzas and Vanidades. Watching The Young and the Restless, novelas and The Price is Right. Going to church, donating to charitable organizations, listening to music, dancing, crocheting and knitting, taking walks in her neighborhood. Going to Las Vegas! She also went to a Juan Gabriel concert. Even just calling her family on the phone made her happy. And of course, praying her rosary day and night which brought her so much peace and strength all until her last day on Earth. 109 years of embracing every moment.
She attributed her excellent health (and great skin!) to her even-temperament, her choice to not smoke or drink, staying active and of course her devout faith in God and the Virgin Mary as a Catholic. She was also a proud Mexican and never forgot her roots in Dolores Hidalgo, which she described as a special place for her. She spent her final years right here in Maryvale Phoenix, Arizona with her loved ones where she enjoyed bird watching.
Soledad had a smile and laugh that lit up any room. As her granddaughter affectionately described her, “era un pan de Dios.” She was the best of the best. Our mother, nana and friend will forever be missed and in our hearts. Que Dios te tenga en su santa Gloria.