Obituary of Alejandra Valeria Payton

With broken hearts and deep gratitude for her life, we announce the passing of our dear Valeria on October 10, 2025.

Valeria was full of life — spontaneous, free-spirited, hilarious, and wonderfully opinionated. She had an infectious smile and a presence that could fill any room. She was beautiful. She had a way of making everyone feel special, especially children. She loved to sing and to talk—about everything and anything! She was deeply loyal to her family and proudly connected to her roots.

A woman of faith, Valeria trusted in God's ways being best and His promises being true. She knew her life was in His loving hands. Daughter, sister, wife, mother, cousin, niece, friend, teacher, and above all, child of God, Vali will be missed beyond words.

Valeria was born on April 28, 1982, in Mexico City, Mexico, to David Roldán Lara and Maria Magdalena Morales†.

Her passion for education and her belief in every child’s potential guided her life’s work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the Universidad de Aguascalientes and another in Preschool Education from the Secretaria de Educación Pública. She earned a Master’s degree in Education from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. Together with her husband, she founded Tulum International School in Tulum, Mexico — a truly unique and creative learning environment where children were known, valued, and inspired. She later received an honorary Doctorate degree from Oxbridge Institute for her contributions in education.

Valeria leaves behind her husband, Richard James Payton, and their two children, Lucia Juliana Payton and Erik Franco Payton, whom she loved with all her heart. Raising, loving and teaching them will always be one of her great accomplishments and joys of her life.

She is survived by her father, David Roldán Lara, and her stepmother, Rut Mireya Ochoa Quezada. She is also survived by her beloved siblings: David, Daniel, Diego, Diana, Vívian, and Rut.

Valeria is preceded in death by her mother, Maria Magdalena Morales.

Her spirit, her wisdom, and her love will live on in her family, in the countless lives she touched, and in the inspiring legacy she leaves behind.

Forever in our hearts… Vali.