Albina Avila
Strong, feisty and independent, Albina was a cancer survivor and worked hard to provide for her family. She was a proud Texan all her life and loved watching westerns and Angels baseball games. She enjoyed listening to Elvis and reading autobiographies about old Hollywood stars. She was a devout Catholic and happy to call herself a member of Holy Family Cathedral in Orange. Most of all, she took pleasure in receiving cards, phone calls, and visits from family and friends—the small gestures that showed her loved ones cared.
She is survived by her sister, Isabela, six of her children, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. They will be holding a viewing for Albina's family and friends at Saddleback Mortuary on August 16 5-9pm and a graveside service will be held at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery on August 17 at 10am.
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Last week my grandmother passed away. Sadly this was not only the last time I saw my aunt, but also my grandma.
So much of my childhood was spent at her house. I was always excited to go there. The huge scar on my leg came from the lawn in front of her house, so I literally have a life long reminder. I can still hear the song she would “sing” while she bounced me on her knee. I remember she would cover my eyes during a certain scene in Beverly Hills Cop, even tho I’d seen it a hundred times. Going to church with her where I brought my wrestling figures and would play with them during the service. The tamales. The best tamales. Making tortillas with her from scratch. Rolling them out. Learning how to warm up a tortilla on an open flame on the stove. Watching Golden Girls with her. Watching Angel games with her. The bag of blocks that were always in the closet in front of the front door. Hearing the birds in the morning at her house- that I still hear from time to time and it immediately takes me back to her front yard. She took me to meet Harrison Ford’s parents. Thank you.
She was funny. She cared. She loved her family. She was…gramma.
I’m not clueless, but I honestly never thought she’d ever be gone.
Rest in peace, gramma 😔 I love you…
On behalf of the Guevara familia, we want to give our condolences to you All. she is my grandma Isabel sister. I remember when I was younger she would come and visit and it was nice to always visit with her. When she would visit it made my grandma happy to see her. Usually she would come down with her twin also. I know she is up in heaven looking after us, along with my mother. My thought and prayers to you all. Ezequiel Guevara
To My Gram:
You will be dearly missed by all of us. I have so many memories of us hanging out at your house watching baseball- Go Angels!, flipping through the photo albums sharing stories about your life and dancing on your front lawn. The memories we shared together, I will cherish and hold dear to my heart. Until we meet again in heavens. LOVE YOU!!
36 years ago in California I was a broke and lost college kid and Mama Avila a busy mom and grandma. She opened her heart and home to me as if I was one of her own and this year we were privileged to spend some family time together again in our home here in Florida just before she passed. May her soul rest in peace and love she truly deserves!
VÃctor Manuel Zuleta
I am honored that I was by your side when you passed. Mom was 91 yrs young… you know their time is coming to an end, but it doesn’t make it any easier. You grow used to being able to pick up that phone and call, but sadly no longer.
My mom had a hard childhood having lost her mother at age 3 and growing up very poor, but that’s what made my mother strong, feisty woman she was. She worked hard all her life to help my dad raise our large family. She wished to be buried with my dad… the only boyfriend she ever had and love of her life. So she is now home in Calif and we will fulfill her wishes. Mom, you are missed by me…Berta “Maye”, my Viejo John (your favorite sil as you told him often) and your grandchildren; Jake (Andrea), Alicia (Nick) and your great grandsons (Logan & Preston), Jordan (Gabbie) and great grand daughter (Emerie).
Rest now Momma and kisses to Daddy and Beany. Until we meet again Mama in Heavens(as you said). Love you, “Maya”
Wishing you all the peace and comfort in the days ahead.
“Rest in Peace Tia Albina”I miss you, Lots of Love
Josephine C. Garcia
My grandma was one of the most caring, loving, funny, and feisty people I knew. My grandma, or Abuelita as I always called her, always made me feel so loved. Feeding people was her love language. Every time I went over she would make me eggs and toast and to this day I have never had eggs and toast as good as hers. I think it’s because the secret ingredient was love. I was little and couldn’t cook for myself so she would make it for me but once I was old enough to cook I would cook for her to show her how much I loved her and appreciated her. One of my favorite and earliest memories of my abuelita is when we would dance around the coffee table to Kids Songs. My grandma loved watching Angel games and if the Angels weren’t playing then she would watch her old Western movies starring John Wayne. She loved Elvis and would often play his songs, her favorite was “Mama liked the Roses” and for that reason roses are one of my favorite flowers. I’m glad I got to spend her last moments with her and reminisce about all the fun we had together. I will always cherish the time I got to spend with her. Te amo abuelita.
-Mileybi Portillo
Mama
I remember Sunday morning visits with you; making coffee, scrambled eggs and toast together. I would often bring your great-grandchildren Sophia and or Diem and Vienna with me.
I will remember getting you out for neighborhood walks with your walker trying to slow you down. I would tell you “You’re burning rubber” haha.
The early morning doctor/lab appointments (sometimes 5am) before work and you already waiting at the front door – keys in the lock and purse on the walker. Afterwards buying you McDonald’s breakfast, sometimes you requesting Happy Meal.
You really liked going to the Senior Center and meeting with your friend Judy. You’d have me put 3 one dollar bills in your purse for lunch there and two quarters ready to go for the taxi ride home.
You made us laugh, work and be independent like you Mama.
Love Margot
To My Tia Albina,
I have many memories of my mom and me going to visit you, my Tio and all my cousins at the different houses in Irvine you all lived in. Always greeting us with a smile and hugs welcoming us to come in. Memories of seeing you talking and visiting with your hermana (my mom Christina) while us kids took off to go play. I can still hear your voice and laughter in my head. I will always remember our last phone call that you made to me. You called me from Florida to wish me a happy birthday just this past June. It was a wonderful surprise to get a call from you. I will miss you Tia and it fills my heart with joy to know you came back home to California to be laid to rest with my Tio Enrique. Rest in peace Tia, I love you.
With Much Love From Your Niece, Lisa R. Perez
Never thought saying a final goodbye to Mom would be so hard. I have lots of sweet memories, too many, of Mom just being Mom;
Cooking, Mom loved to cook and along with that making sure you had enough to eat, always offering more than one could possibly hold. My high school buddies use to love to visit and hangout at our house because Mom made some good chow. Then, every Christmas season supervising the tamale assembly line.
She was so proud of her sons, son in law and grandsons that served in the military. Always quick to point that fact out to anyone visiting her.
There were many occasions where she just had fun, like the time she joined in on a fast moving Latin rhythm conga line dance with my kid brother Carlos, kid sister Rita and I in her living room. Then while visiting my late wife Peggy and I here in Florida, mom and Peggy some good laughs and giggles sharing some good talking wine.
Mom was quite the charmer, all my friends always said my mom was cute and funny.
I am glad mom lived her last few months with Xero (my dog) and I. Gave mom and I time to reconnect and in those few months she grew to love Xero. Xero gave mom many a laugh with his antics, if he could talk I am sure would Xero would say the same.
My mom is gone but memories of her will live on.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-8
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a ti
Mi viejita, como yo le decÃa cariñosamente toda mi vida, fue una mujer muy dedicada a su familia y con sus ejemplos nos enseñó a trabajar duro y no darnos por vencidos. Ella fue un ejemplo de cómo uno debe tratar y ayudar al prójimo. Fue esposa, madre y abuela ejemplar y aunque la extraño con todo mi corazón se que ella ya encontró La Paz en el Señor que ella merecÃa. Ella está descansando con el amor de su vida, mi papá, y con su hija Albina. Ya no va sentir dolor ni tristeza solo gozo con nuestro Padre Celestial. Haci que descansa mi viejita, que lo mereces y aunque me haces falta no me despido de ti porque se que un dÃa nos reuniremos en el cielo.
Con amor y cariño para mi viejita,
Rita
I remember Sunday mornings my mother-in-law Albina would make me perfect overeasy eggs and toast. And invite me to change the channel from one of her favorite westerns to my Sunday football games haha.
I am honored that i was by your side when you passed. Mom was 91 yrs young….you know their time is coming to an end , but it doesn´t make it any easier. You grow used to being able to pick up that phone and call, but sadly no longer.
My mom had a hard childhood having lost her mother at age 3 and growing up very poor, but that´s what made my mother the strong, feisty woman she was. She worked hard all her life to help my dad raise our large family.
She wished to be buried with my dad…the only boyfriend she ever had and love of her life. So she is now home in Calif and we will fulfill her wishes.
Mom, you are missed by me…Berta”Maye”, my Viejo John (your favorite sil as you told him often) and your grandchildren; Jake (Andrea), Alicia (Nick) and your great grandsons (Logan & Preston), Jordan (Gabbie) and great granddaughter Emerie.
Rest now Mama and kisses to Daddy and Beany. Until we meet again Mama in Heavens (as you said). Love you, “Maye”
Berta Haugh
To My Gram:
You will be dearly missed by all of us. I have so many memories hanging out at your house watching baseball- Go Angels, flipping through the photo albums sharing stories about your life and dancing on the front lawn. The memories we made together, I will cherish and hold dear to my heart. Until we meet again in heavens. LOVE YOU!!
My grandma was one of the most caring, loving, funny, and feisty people I knew. My grandma, or Abuelita as I always called her, always made me feel so loved. Feeding people was her love language. Every time I went over she would make me eggs and toast and to this day I have never had eggs and toast as good as hers and I think it’s because the secret ingredient was love. I was little and couldn’t cook for myself so she would make it for me but once I was old enough to cook I would cook for her to show her how much I loved her and appreciated her. One of my favorite and earliest memories of my abuelita is when we would dance around the coffee table to Kids Songs. My grandma loved watching Angel games and if the Angels weren’t playing then she would watch her old Western movies staring John Wayne. She loved Elvis and would often play his songs, her favorite was “Mama liked the Roses” and for that reason roses are one of my favorite flowers. I’m glad I got to spend her last moments with her and reminisce about all the fun we had together. I will always cherish the time I got to spend with her. Te amo abuelita.
– Mileybi Portillo