Maria Hilda Villarreal

Maria Hilda Villarreal Bugnone was born on August 25, 1936 in Canada de Gomez, pertaining to the Province of Santa Fe, about 42 miles west of the city of Rosario, Argentina.

On the early morning of Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the age of 89 years old, she peacefully passed away. Her son, Daniel, was by her bedside. Everyone knew her as “Hilda”. She possessed a beautiful, spiritual energy and love that radiated towards everyone around her.

Her devotion to the Virgin Mary, the Rosary, and her deep-rooted Catholic faith carried her through her whole life. She had the ability to help mend and heal many of those who were experiencing life hardships and sought her caring and loving presence, advice, or conversations.

Hilda was pre-deceased by her beloved daughter, Patricia Villarreal, who died at age 29 in March of 1992, and her younger brothers, Luis and Carlos Bugnone. Hilda is survived by her husband, Alberto Villarreal, her son, Daniel Villarreal, and her daughter-in-law, Viviana Villarreal; her granddaughter, Jessica Secuya, and her husband, Daniel Secuya, her great-grandchildren, Kainoa and Kaleo Secuya; her grandson, Anthony Villarreal; and her grandson, Vincent Villarreal, and his wife, Sunnie Villarreal, and her great-grandchildren, Jackson Villarreal and Olive Villarreal.

She always longed to see her beloved mother, Luisa Bugnone, who died when Hilda was about 20 years old; and to see her younger brothers, Luis and Carlos. We can all find solice in knowing that she has been reunited with them. She will be forever loved and missed by her entire family and will live in our hearts evermore. She was also greatly loved and will be greatly missed by the many friends she made since her arrival in the United States.

Hilda made friends feel like family. In spite of her humble upbringing and limited schooling, she was remarkably well-read, very well-spoken, and assertive in her own special way. She had an incomparable drive to succeed from an early age.

Hilda’s mother, Luisa, fell ill from a run-away-horse accident when Hilda was 14 years old. Sadly, Luisa was hospitalized for many years and Hilda had to take care of the household and her two younger brothers. She found entrepeneurial ways to help the family by sewing, cooking, and running errands. She made the best empanadas, and everyone loved them.

As Hilda’s brothers came of age, her drive to better herself led her to the city of Rosario for a more promising work assignment.

She loved music; especially tango and tarantellas. She would visit her cousin, Teresa, in the neighborhood of Paganini, where they would practice the latest dance steps and attend local dances held at family social clubs. It was at one of these dances that she met Alberto, the love of her life. A handsome, debonair gentleman with blue eyes that captivated her.

Hilda and Alberto were married on December 5, 1957 in Rosario, Argentina. It was the beginning of a 68-year journey of love, laughs and adventures. They welcomed two children, Daniel and Patricia, and would instill in them the value of hard work, faith to overcome life’s obstacles and a noble character.

Alberto and Hilda dreamed of moving to the United States, and in early 1969, Alberto made that dream come true. His wife, Hilda, and children joined him in late 1969 after he had secured a job and residence. The family lived in Pasadena, and later in El Monte. In 1975, they purchased their first home in West Covina. Soon, they had 2 homes and moved to Ontario, and later to Fontana, circling back to Covina in 2006, and finally, residing in Walnut with their son, Daniel and his wife, Viviana.

Hilda’s favorite activity was spending time with friends and family, especially champagne brunch on Sunday after mass, enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As we say goodbye to Maria Hilda Villarreal, we celebrate her life, a life filled with love, faith and charity. A legacy of love and devotion will continue to flourish in the lives of her beautiful family and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her spirit of love and guidance will shine through in the lives of all she touched.

Dearest Hilda, your loving memory will be a blessing forever.