Maria Andrea Pizana Contreras, 83, of Ligonier, passed away at 10:10 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at Avalon Village in Ligonier.

She was born on Nov. 3, 1935, to the late Francisco Contreras and Bernarda Aguilar in Aguascalientes, Ags. Mexico. On Oct. 9, 1952, she married Manuel Pizana and together they shared over 67 years of marriage.

She lived her life in Aguas until 1988 when she became a resident of Ligonier. She spent time caring for her grandchildren and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband, Manuel Pizana; fifteen children, Federico (Cindy) Pizana, Salvador (Esther) Pizana, Jorge (Teresa) Pizana, Sergio (Elena) Pizana, Maria (Jesus) Guzman, Cristina (Enrique) Sosa, Mario (Lupe) Pizana, and Celia (Juan) Ramirez all of Ligonier, Manuel (Maria D.) Pizana of Elkhart, Jaime (Elvira) Pizana, Imelda (Federico) Ramirez, and Teresa (Ciro) Belmares all of Ligonier, Francisco (Arely) Pizana of Millersburg, and Maria del Carmen (Daniel) Rodriguez of Anderson; forty-nine grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jesus Contreras and Alfredo Contreras.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister; two brothers; and three grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Maria’s honor at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 300 Ravine Park Drive, Ligonier. Father Wilson Corzo will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier.

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 25, at Yeager Funeral Home, 1589 Lincolnway South, Ligonier. 

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.