Born to Alejo Contreras and Juana Ruiz on June 18, 1923 in San Luis, Mexico, she moved here in 1969 from Texas. She was a homemaker and loved taking care of her grandchildren. She attended St. Ann Catholic Church in Haines City.

Mrs. Mendoza was preceded in death by her husband, Vensabio in 1999. She is survived by her children, Jose, Jesus, Reynaldo, Maria, Maria M. and Jose Juan; brothers, Sylvester , Casimira and Felipe Contreras; sister, Florcia Delacruz; thirty grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at Oak Ridge Funeral Care. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9 am. Father Robert Mitchell will officiate. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Haines City.