Honoring Mario by helping to support Laura

With heavy hearts we share the sad news that our beloved Mario Hevia Del Puerto passed away ten days after his 28th birthday on January 7, 2023.

Mario was the only child of Laura Hevia Del Puerto but that never inhibited his love for the children Laura cared for or the importance of family.

Mario was a person of many talents. At the young age of three, Mario began playing the violin and continued playing regularly until high school. He would practice playing his violin in front of his audience of the young children Laura cared for, who he considered as siblings.

As a young adult, Mario explored his love of drawing. This talent opened doors for him as an artist and his dreams of being able to support his mother began to form. It was during this time that he tried his hand at tattooing and appreciated the time he spent learning the craft.

In 2019, the pandemic began and both Laura and Mario contracted the virus. Laura was placed in a medically induced coma for five and a half months fighting for her life. It was during this time that Mario did the best he could to maintain the family home in hopes that Laura would make a full recovery.

Upon Laura's return Mario found himself as his mother's full-time caregiver. Laura had to learn how to breathe on her own, eat, walk, and even speak again. Mario continued to be Laura's caregiver up until his passing because she still has a long road ahead of her before she can make a full recovery.

Now, with the heaviest of hearts, we want to support Laura in the best ways we can. The outpouring of calls, messages, and visits has helped her during this time as she is grieving for the one person she will miss the most in her entire life.

Now is the time to support Laura in a way that she cannot do for herself by assisting with a little financial support as she navigates through this grief. Aside from funeral expenses, Laura must find a way to maintain the regular expenses while still under treatment during her recovery.

Knowing Laura and Mario has been a blessing because they are the most giving, loving, and selfless pair. Mario's big heart, loving smile, and joyful laugh will be sorely missed by everyone. His presence was larger than life.

Any donation is greatly appreciated.

With love on behalf of Laura,

The Quintana and Mercado Families