At the age of one, Cruz’s Mom, Wenceslada, moved to Ajo, Arizona to live with her Uncle Guadalupe and his family, to make a better life for Cruz, her sister, Maria, and her Nanita.
It was while living in Ajo, that Cruz met the love of her life, Frank Del Rosario (known as Chico).
They met when Cruz was 15, and they married when she was 19 and were married for almost 60 years. Their first born was Frank (known as Pancho), who was born in Ajo. Two years later, Cruz and her family moved to Caborca, Mexico to help her in-laws work on their family farm. She adjusted to this change of life the best she could and made the best of the challenges, as she always did. While living in Caborca, they had their first daughter Tencha and 2 years later had their second son, Richard. After a few years, unfortunately the family farm business was not producing enough to support the family, so Chico and Cruz decided to move to Tijuana to make a better life for their family. Times continued to be tough in Tijuana, so Chico went to the US to secure work, and during this time their second daughter Cruz was born. While Chico was working and commuting back and forth to Tijuana, Cruz took care of her four children. Cruz always put her family first and was a great homemaker and loving Mom. She made fresh flour tortillas every day, made beautiful clothes for her children, and made blankets and quilts from their older clothes. Money was tough, but somehow Cruz always found a way to make their money stretch. Her children were always well fed, nicely dressed, and went to school everyday.
In 1956, Cruz and Chico made a hard decision to relocate the family to San Diego, in an effort to offer their kids a better life and education. In December of 1956, they packed up what they could carry, and the family took a bus to San Diego and moved into the two-bedroom duplex. They had to start all over again and had very little, but were so rich in love and closeness. Once in San Diego, they had their third daughter, Christina. Over the years, Cruz and Chico worked hard to provide for their 5 children and nephew Miguel, who lived with them. In 1960, they purchased their 2nd house where they lived until 2000, when Chico passed. At that time, Cruz moved in with her daughter Tencha and in 2019 she began to rotate living with 4 of her children and their families, so they could all enjoy spending time with her.
Cruz’s five children blessed her with 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She helped to care for and raise so many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren who all loved spending time at their house. Nana Cruz spoiled them rotten, and the time spent with her was so much fun and memorable. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren absolutely adored their Nana Cruz and she loved them with everything she had.
Cruz loved music, singing, dancing, and gardening, was an avid Padre fan, and loved anything with family and parties. Cruz would never miss a family gathering or celebration. She loved her family with all her heart and brought so much joy to every family event. God was a huge part of Cruz’s life and she was very religious and faithfully pray the rosary every day up until the last few days of her life. We can all remember her tremendous faith and her patient, sweet, and kind spirit towards everyone. She was a great role model for us all about putting God first and focusing on family. She loved so deeply and was so appreciative of all the love, care, and support offered by her children, their spouses, and their families. She had a special gift of making everyone feel like they were her favorite.
Fun Memories About Cruz:
• She got her driver’s license at the age of 70
• Her salsa became famous amongst family and friends
• She had a “Green-Thumb” and every flower she touched bloomed
• She made the best tortillas in the world
• She was still sewing and ironing at the age of 102
• Up until the last days, her memory was sharp as tack
• She loved getting together at Christmas time to make homemade tamales
• She loved helping out with the Optimist Club to raise money for Children with Cancer
• She had COVID twice and it didn’t even phase her
• She would not miss a San Diego Padre baseball game
• She wouldn’t leave her bedroom everyday until her bed was made, military style
• At the age of 100, she began enjoying a mini toddy during happy hour
• She had a special love for making cookies for the annual Christmas Cookie Party
Nana Cruz was literally loved by everyone who knew and met her and her memory will live on with each of her family members:
• Her son Richard Del Rosario and wife Nena and their 4 children, spouses, and 9 grand children
• Her oldest daughter, Tencha Cash and husband Tom and 2 children, spouses, and 2 grandchildren
• Her middle daughter, Cruz Aschenbrener and husband Larry and 2 children, spouses, and 5 grandchildren
• Her youngest daughter, Christina Baca and husband Don and their 2 children and 2 grandchildren
• Her oldest son Pancho’s wife, Rosa Del Rosario and 1 child and 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
We are blessed to have had her for so many healthy and happy years. Today we celebrate her long and joyous life and all the love and happiness she brought to each of us. We are so grateful that she is re-united with her husband Chico, her son, Pancho, and the other family members who have gone on before her. We know that God and the gates of Heaven opened widely to welcome her into God’s Kingdom, and she will continue to watch over and pray for all of us until we meet again.
We will miss her greatly and will carry her memory in our hearts forever.
With all our love.
We love YOU MORE!
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