Antonia Barela Avila

Antonia (Tonia) Barela Avila, 94, of Upland, California, passed away peacefully at her home on February 27, 2021. Tonia was born in New Mexico to Pedro Barela and Sesaria Candelaria Barela on June 13, 1926. She moved to California with her as a teenager in the early 1940's and worked as a housekeeper at the Claremont Inn and the Claremont Colleges for 40 years, many of which were worked side by side with her sisters. She married Ernest F. Avila on April 2, 1950 and was blessed to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary last year.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ernie, daughter Lillian Bernal, another daughter who died in infancy, her brothers Severo Barela, David Barela, sisters Anita Martinez and Felipa Monroy. She is survived by her grandson Artie B. Bernal and numerous cousins, nieces, nephew, godchildren and friends which will miss her dearly.

She was a devout Catholic and was known to pray her rosary several times a day. She was a fun loving, kind, caring and hardworking person.

Graveside Funeral Service for Tonia will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 1pm at Bellevue Memorial Park, 1240 West G Street, Ontario, CA 91762.