Maria Rebeca Huerta

December 6, 1924 - November 2, 2021

Maria Rebeca Huerta, age 96, of Ocean View, DE, passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She was born on December 6, 1924, in Valparaiso, Chile, daughter of Joan and Raquel (Venegas) Bardina. Rebeca (as she was affectionately known throughout her life), spent her childhood growing up in Valparaiso. In 1948, she married Dr. Ruperto Huerta, MD, and they moved to Santiago, Chile to begin raising their family. In 1957, Rebeca immigrated to the United States with her husband and children after he was invited by the US government to work with the World Health Organization to help eradicate smallpox. They resided in a Washington, DC suburb in Maryland where she raised her four children. Rebeca and her husband retired to the Bethany Beach area in 1982. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Rebeca enjoyed sewing and was an avid knitter, often donating many of her items to charitable fundraisers. (It was a long-standing question at Christmas within the family, what color sweaters are we getting this year?) She had a green thumb and was the envy of the neighborhood for her colorful flowers which were in constant bloom spring through fall. When family or friends visited, she loved to engage in political discussions and social/controversial issues. Above all, Rebeca cherished time spent with her family and friends. She often hosted her grandchildren for summers at the beach. In addition to her parents, Rebeca was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ruperto Huerta, MD, in 1999. She is survived by her sons: Dr. Sergio A. Huerta, MD (Linda) of Harbeson, DE, Ignacio J. Huerta of Austin, TX, and Patrick P. Huerta (Kelly) of Greenwood, DE; her daughter, Maria Elena Morris of Hamilton, MT; her grandchildren: Daniel Huerta (Lorin), Stephanie Huerta, Michael Huerta, Peter Morris (Anjana), Jennifer Wilson (Scott), Nicholas Huerta(Kari), Erica Huerta (Peter), Patrick Huerta (Rachel), Stacey Betts, Isaac Jones, Capt. Nathan Huerta, USMC, John Paul Huerta (Penelope) and Charles Jones; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Rebeca was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who will be missed by all who knew her. A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 4:00 PM, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment will be private. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic social distancing protocols must be observed and masks must be worn by everyone participating in any aspect of the service. All who cannot attend in person are invited to join the services via live streaming by visiting the following link: http://www.parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/10220572/LTWebcast Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.