Maria E. Wolcott, 77, of Derrick City, PA passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Erie County Medical Center, in Buffalo, NY.

Born on March 12, 1947, in Santiago de Chuco, Peru, she was a daughter of the late Antonio and Angela Aguilar Escobedo.

Maeia graduated high school in Peru and later graduated in 1970 from Inca Gacilaso De La Vega University in Lima, Peru, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Education and Childcare. She worked for an organization helping orphans and children in Hauraz, Peru after a major earthquake there where she met Chris Wolcott, her future husband, who was working there in the Peace Corps. They married on July 20, 1972, in Lima, Peru.

After coming to the United States in 1973, Maria worked at the Children’s Home in housekeeping and then as a childcare worker. She later taught Spanish at Bradford Central Christian High School for many years until its closing and part-time at the University Pittsburgh at Bradford. She also taught Spanish at The Learning Center and worked at the YMCA Day Care Center until illness forced her to retire.

Maria was a member of the Sigma Alpha Sorority, Ladies Investors of Bradford and the Derrick City Coffee Group. She enjoyed crocheting and needlepoint, gardening, watching hummingbirds and spending time on the family houseboat on the Kinzua Dam. Maria was a vibrant, energetic dynamo who loved life and especially loved working with and being around children and they loved her back.

Surviving in addition to her husband Chris of 51 years, is one son, James A. (Mary) Wolcott, of Bethel Park, one beloved granddaughter, Zoe Maria, one brother, Ramses Escobedo, of Lima, Peru, and several nieces and nephews in Peru.

She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings, Magda, Nora, Olga, Prisco, Antonio, and Manuel.

A Celebration of Maria’s Life will be held at a date to be announced.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to The Learning Center, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com