Maria Natalia aka Nathaline (Gomes) Hise, 81 years old, of Marseilles, Illinois, formerly of Cyril, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 20th, 2025.  Maria was born on November 26, 1943 in Sialkot, Pakistan. She was the daughter of Anthony and Abelina Gomes (deceased).

Maria was the fourth eldest sibling out of nine children. Three sisters being Dolorosa (Sebastian) Menezes, Julie (John) Pereira, Elsie (Ignatius) Fernandes, and five brothers being Dominic (Vivian aka Agnes) Gomes (deceased), Michael (Olive) Gomes (deceased), Alex aka Elias (Mariquin) Gomes, Manuel (Fairel) Gomes, and Nicholas (Anna) Gomes. She doted on all her nieces and nephews, and was a grand-aunt to many.

Maria shared interesting memories of her and her sisters in a women's boarding school, while her brother shared and spent their childhood at a men's boarding school in Karachi, Pakistan. Maria was a second mother to her youngest brother Nicholas. Maria and her sisters felt responsible for their youngest brother since their mother died at an early age. The sisters were inseparable while growing up. They laughed together and were supportive of each other during their marriages. She loved hearing about her nieces and nephews.  Maria never had children but her sisters and brothers children were very special to her. She was a proud aunt and great-aunt. She always made sure to keep a track of all the extended families, and took keen interest in all of their lives.  Her friends, neighbors and co-workers in Cyril, Oklahoma were near and dear to her heart.  Special thanks to Amanda M who never left her side despite being States apart.

Maria was a devout Catholic who served as a nun, but decided to change her vocation to become a nurse to serve Christ in the field of nursing. She was a mid-wife and also worked in the hospital's general ward in Karachi, Pakistan.  She met her husband Jim Hise at this hospital in Pakistan while helping him recover from an injury.  They soon married and she immigrated to Cyril, Oklahoma.  Maria was a good sister-in-law, step-mother and step-aunt who cared dearly for her new family and new home in the United States. Maria loved going fishing with Jim and his family. Maria touched many people's hearts while living in Cyril, Oklahoma. She was a private person but made sure to include herself when and where help was needed.

Despite all the hardships, Maria faced as a child and as an adult, she made sure to encourage others. To many, she was a strong willed, stubborn person, but she had a heart of gold. Maria loved country music and movies, and dancing. She always felt lucky at the casinos; she frequently visited them with her family and friends. Maria always was frugal but she said the casinos were her vice where she enjoyed herself and laughed about it. For family and friends, she was there as a shoulder to cry on or willingly gave advice if you liked it or not, never wavering.  She assisted many financially when in need.  Maria had a heart of gold. She was much loved and will be missed dearly.

Maria's best friend in Cyril was Mia C.  They kept each other sane and were supportive during their marriage to their respective spouses. Mia and Maria were sisters from another mother who fought and laughed during their entire friendship.
Maria's wish was to make us not grieve but to celebrate her life by remembering her and the good times we shared with her. She did not want a funeral or burial but has donated her body to science at the University of Chicago.  Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles, Illinois have been entrusted with arrangements and cremation rites.

Seals-Campbell Funeral Home

1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341

815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com