Maria Socorro Garza

Maria Socorro Garza (83), of Rancho Cucamonga (formerly Lawndale), passed away on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019. Born February 10, 1936 in El Tuito, Jalisco, Mexico, she is predeceased to Carmen Castillion and Noe Placito, and survived by her husband, Ciro Garza.

Survivors include four children, Rosa Garza - Torrance, Oscar Garza - Gardena, Sophia Garza-Anderson (Robert A.) – Rancho Cucamonga, and Lisa Ruiz - Highland. Goddaughter Rita Castillon – San Diego; Grandchildren include Ruben Gonzalez (Lydia), Yvette Ibarra, Marlisa Garza, Ashley Garza, Allison Markham (William), Nichole Bonner (Jeremy), Elizabeth Ruiz, Bryan Sidoti, Angelica Rodriguez (Kai), Sandra Garza, Kaitlyn Ruiz, and Natalie Ruiz, as well as 10 great grandchildren.

Born in a small town of about 3000 people, approximately 21 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, Socorro as she was called, first met the love of her life, Ciro Garza, at El Sombrero (dance club) in Los Angeles on January 1, 1961. They were not separated since, marrying August 17, 1963 in Tijuana, Mexico. They raised their children in Lawndale, California and various jobs included working for a few years at Vigon lighting, and later for approximately 15 years at Teledyne Relays in Hawthorne, California.

She loved family time, especially with grandchildren and great grandchildren, quick-witted and was quite the jokester! Everyone loved sitting with her and listening to her stories, you would usually laugh so hard as she covered her face with her hand laughing at her own joke. A typical Mexican mother, always wanting her children with her or knowing their whereabouts; when her daughter would call after not hearing from her for two days because of work, Socorro would answer the phone “hello, home of the forgotten” or make comments such as, “you should send me a photograph so I could remember what you look like”. No grandchild could do anything wrong, she was always their defender regardless of the situation, they were her joy.