Rosa Maria Tarango

Given the absence of her mother, our mom poured into her children (Alice, David, Patsy, Rosalinda, and Emilia) all the love she missed from her own mother. She lived her life dedicated to the virtues of: Kindness, compassion, generosity, and serving others. Most importantly, she shared her love of God and the Virgin Mary.

When we were young, during our trips to Tijuana, our mother began setting an example of generosity by searching for poor women that she could gift with money and our hand me down clothes.

We were raised as devout Catholics and our mother instilled her faith in us by our attending weekly mass and holy days of obligation. She ensured we made our sacraments: baptism, 1st holy communication, confirmation, etc. She prayed the rosary every day.

During our early years, our mother used to make all her daughters wear a Kleenex tissue or a doily on their head before entering a church because the church required that one’s head needed to be covered. God help you if you made any noise during mass and you better not have broken out in laughter or you would get the pinching and twisting of skin on your arm. Sometimes she drew blood.

When we lived in Highland Park, us older kids started school and our mom began taking English and floral decorating classes. At these classes, she met women who would become lifelong friends and comadres. Just to name a few, these friends are: Guillermina Flores, Juanita Reyes, Paula Garcia, and Angelica Idiaquez. Because our mother could drive, she also became the chauffer for these ladies and others. We all went on outings to the mall, the zoo, doctor’s appointments, to visit the elderly, etc.

One of the biggest joys in our mom’s life was becoming a grandma and a great grandma. Our mother was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and she was elated when they were enrolled in catholic schools. She enjoyed attending their school activities and some of her grandchildren accompanied her as Shepards during a live reenactment of the Passion of Christ where our father (Sebastian) served as Pontius Pilot. Additionally each December, She looked forward to attending Las Mañaitas de la Virgen de Guadalupe accompanied by her grandchildren.

In her later years, our mother and father were involved in various church ministries including marriage encounters, serving as bereavement ministers, and leading rosary services on behalf of the Knights of Columbus. For over 20 years, our mother served as treasurer and our father served as President of the Legion of Mary here at St. Hillary. This ministry enabled our mother to truly become a servant of God and Mary at multiple convalescent homes (Rancho Vista, Pico Rivera Health Care Center, and others). By bringing God to their patients via the Holy Eucharist, singing songs, reading the Gospel of the day, and reciting the Rosary. Our mother once told us that in the beginning she was afraid to go into the convalescent homes but after a short while, she understood that God was asking her to bring his love to the residents.

Our mother not only practiced her faith SHE LIVED IT. She also thanked God when her daughters became involved in ministries at their own parishes as she equated it to serving God.

Our mother was a very warm and friendly person. Her charisma allowed her to easily make friends such that within five minutes, you were already her best friend and she would know your life story. Our mother loved to sing, tell jokes (mostly dirty ones), and she was an amazing cook including making delicious pastries. Her signature pastry was her famous wine cake which eventually became a form of raising money for her acts of charity.

Our mother was fortunate to travel with our father to multiple destinations including visiting Europe several times. Visiting places such as Portugal, Rome, France, Spain, and the Holy Land. They also took trips to Hawaii, Panama, Colombia, and, of course, all over Mexico especially Zacatecas. One of her favorite places to visit was Plateros to visit the Santo Nino de Atocha.

Mom, we thank you for the grace bestowed upon each and everyone of us honoring you today. May you be looking down upon us from Heaven and may your heart be filled with love, joy, and be delighted knowing your life touched each and every person here today.

You were loved and adored by dad, your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Your life demonstrated the virtues you loved and kept dear to your heart and they will remain in our hearts and lives. You are in God’s hand’s now. Rest in Peace.