Obituary of Mary Trujillo

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Mary Y. Trujillo, passed away December 1, 2012 just two months shy of 98 years in Simi Valley, California. She was born January 24, 1915 in Teocaltiche, Mexico and grew up as a child in Miami, Arizona with her grandmother, mother and six brothers and sisters, graduating from Miami High School in the 1930s. She had three children, David, Katie, and Eddie. Her devotion to her children, commitment to her family and compassion made her a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She worked very hard all her life, and was an independent woman at a time when the words "independent" and "woman" were not often used together. During World War II, she was among those known as "Rosie the Riveters," living in Los Angeles, before returning back to Arizona where she studied to become an X-ray Technician and retired from San Manual Hospital in 1976. She believed strongly in education and was very proud her children's accomplishments. All became working professionals and two received PhD's. Her younger sister Lena says Mary was a huge influence, encouraging her to go to school, become educated and learn a skill or trade at time when many women were expected to stay home. After retirement she moved to Southern California to be close to her family. She loved gardening, cooking (making tamales, enchiladas, flour tortillas, holiday cookies, homemade pizza and chicken soup), sewing (making Cabbage-Patch and Raggedy Ann/Andy dolls and quilts) and traveling. In the last half of her life, she spent a lot of time laughing and celebrating the joys of each day with her family. She had a great sense of humor and remained "young at heart" always; enjoying movies, birthdays, holidays, dining out, sharing stories, reading autobiographies, sitting by the fire and attending TV tapings, including her favorite "Dancing with the Stars." Friends of the family described her as "spunky" and "full of personality." Growing up as the eldest of seven, Mary often took care of and cared deeply for her brothers and sisters and had a special relationship with her own grandmother. She formed the same strong bonds with her sons, daughter, grandsons, granddaughters, nieces and nephews. She was a devoted Catholic and lived with faith. She is survived by her children, David Trujillo and his wife Lynne, Katherine Dexter and her husband Don and Edward Trujillo and his wife Rose; two sisters, Lena Aragon and Melito De La Torre; seven grandchildren, Debra, Mike, Chris, Robert, Marlene Casillas, Miguel and Marissa and seven great grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 15 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Moorpark, California at Noon. Viewing will be available in the vestibule from 11:30am-11:45am that day. Interment will follow at the Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Simi Valley. Condolences and flowers may be sent to: Rose Family Funeral Home 4444 Cochran St Simi Valley, California 93063 Phone: (805) 581-3800 In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to Mary's favorite charities; March of Dimes: http://www.marchofdimes.com/ Or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD