Maria Daniel

Maria Daniel

1952 - 2023

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Obituary of Maria Daniel

Maria Daniel (nee Cortes), age 70, was often called Dalia (her middle name) by friends and family members.  She passed away on January 13th, 2023.  Maria Dalia is survived by her husband, Christopher Phillip Daniel (Frankfort, KY), son Thomas Anthony Daniel (Lawrenceburg, Kentucky), and brother Mark Anthony Cortes (Kingsville, Texas).  She was predeceased by her son Robert Jeffrey Daniel (Frankfort, Kentucky), her parents Miguel and Preciliana Cortes (Kingsville, Texas), and her brothers Miguel Cortes Jr. (Banning, California) and Juan Cortes (Kingsville, Texas).

Maria was born in Kingsville, Texas on August, 22nd, 1952 and grew up there.  As a third generation Mexican-American child she learned to speak both Spanish and English fluently.   That capability later enabled her to develop friendships with Mexican immigrants who had come to Kentucky to work.  While Maria was in her 50s she frequently assisted friends, acquaintances, and Frankfort area medical professionals by doing volunteer interpreting using her knowledge of Spanish and English.

While a young woman Maria lived in California and also London, England.  Robert Culp, her husband at that time, was stationed in those locations while serving in the U.S. Navy.  Following that marriage Maria returned to Texas and later met and married Christopher Daniel. That marriage continued for 42 years until her death.

Over the years Maria successfully completed college courses at Texas A and I University (Kingsville), Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Texas), and Kentucky State University (Frankfort).  While doing so she avoided enrolling in any of the political science or public administration classes that her husband, Christopher Daniel, taught at those institutions.

Maria Dalia, Christopher, and their son Robert (then age 15) and also son Thomas (then age 8 months) moved to Frankfort from Texas during August, 1986.  Maria worshipped at Frankfort’s Good Shepard Catholic Church.  She was also a horror film enthusiast.  And, for many years she enjoyed serving customers at the Movie Warehouse that was located on Frankfort’s Versailles Road.  During her youth in Texas, Maria identified with the Chicano political and cultural movement. Much later, in 2006, she proudly participated in immigrant rights activities in Kentucky.