Maria (Connie) Melendez

Maria Conception Melendez, age 74, of Humboldt, Kansas, after a four-month battle from kidney transplant rejection, passed away April 16, 2024, surrounded by her family at St. Luke's on the Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri. Connie was born December 10, 1949, in Chanute, Kansas, to John G. Borjas and Aurora (Romero) Borjas.

Connie graduated in 1967 from Chanute High School, Chanute, Kansas. She continued her education in San Francisco, California, and then at Labette Community College, Parsons, Kansas, earning a degree in nursing. Connie worked as a nurse for 35 years. She was an amazing caregiver and a hard worker.

Connie and Monico A. Melendez were married May 18, 1973, in Chanute, Kansas. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2023.

Connie and her family opened Estrellita Mexican Restaurant in Humboldt in 2002. She retired the business in December, 2022.

Connie was very active in the Chanute Mexican Fiesta. She was a dancer from an early age until she graduated high school. Later, she started the dance group, "De Colores," and trained her children and many family members and children in the community how to Folkloric Mexican dance. Connie, Nacho, and family operated the Estrellita Food Stand for 40 years consecutively at the Mexican Fiesta.

Connie loved going to Branson, Missouri, to watch the shows and spend time with family. She enjoyed gardening, especially her flowers. Connie liked sharing starts of her flowers with others. She was a wonderful cook and liked to cook with all of her family. Her pride and joy were her kids and grandkids.

Connie was strong in her Catholic faith. She held a life-long connection to St. Patrick Catholic School and Church in Chanute.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, John Lee Borjas.

Connie is survived by her husband, Nacho, of the home; children, Monica (Israel Moran) Melendez, Gary (Kourtney) Melendez, Beto (Courtney) Melendez, Sylvia (P.J.) Schomaker; grandchildren, Andres, Alexandra, Serena, Gabe, Elizabeth, Victoria, Brock, Sofia; great-grandson, Xavier; brother, Tim (Lisa) Borjas, Tom Borjas; sister Rita (Mike) Prahm; and numerous nieces, nephews, other loved ones, and many friends.

A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Chanute, Kansas, followed by a Mass at 10:00 a.m. A private family inurnment will be at a later date in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Chanute, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to St. Luke's Kidney Transplant Program, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.