María de Jesús Mundo, affectionately known as “La Abuelita de la Capu,” passed away on Thursday, July 24, at the age of 79, on one of the benches of the Puebla bus central, where she had spent the last three years waiting to be reunited with her children.
Her story, marked by abandonment , hope , and unwavering faith , resonated with thousands across the nation after gaining traction on social media in 2024.
Doña Mary settled in Puebla over three decades ago. After being evicted from her home in the San Andrés Unit of Tehuacán in 2022, she moved to the CAPU, fueled by the hope that her children would eventually find her there. Her son, Victor Manuel, migrated to the United States, while her daughters, María Guadalupe and Soul, allegedly resided in Puebla. Friends had informed her that one of her children might come through that terminal, and thus, she stayed with unwavering conviction that one day they would come looking for her.
During her more than 1,000 days at the CAPU, Doña Mary relied on the charity of the bus terminal’s patrons and employees. She sang for coins, accepted food donations, and kept her belongings organized in a bag that she carried everywhere.
Despite her escalating health issues —including leg infections and urinary incontinence—she steadfastly refused offers to move to a shelter from both the state and municipal DIF (Family Development Integral System). “Here we remained,” she would say, holding on to her hope.
Tragically, last Thursday afternoon, passengers observed that Doña Mary was unresponsive in her usual spot. After realizing something was wrong, they alerted the Auxiliary Police , who called 911. Paramedics from the Red Cross confirmed her death.
Authorities cordoned off the area, and her remains were dispatched to the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo), awaiting any family members who might claim her body.
During her time at the station, María de Jesús became a familiar figure to regular commuters. Her dignity , calmness , and perseverance amidst adversity turned her into a symbol of a painful reality: the lives of countless elderly individuals without a support system, left to endure the streets.
The narrative surrounding Doña Mary has inspired citizens to propose a symbolic tribute in the CAPU, shining a light on the urgent need for greater empathy and systematic care for vulnerable senior citizens.
Until her last breath, Mrs. Mary clung to the hope of reuniting with her children. She passed away as she lived in recent years: waiting for a hug that never came.