Rebeca Flores Blinn

Rebeca Flores Blinn, the daughter of Maximiano Flores and Francisca Flores, was born December 23, 1938 in Mexicali, Mexico. Her brothers are: Francisco, Flavio, Maximino, Pedro and Benjamin Flores Flores. Her sisters are: Luciana, Consuelo, Maria and Raquel Flores Flores and has a sister-of-the-heart, Eva Gomez Flores. Becky truly loved her many, many nieces and nephews. Her greatest joy was to celebrate every opportunity she could attending family graduations, showers, weddings, birthday parties, reunions, and would attend nearly every Flores Family event, no matter the distance.

Becky touched and brought joy to so many lives. She was known for never leaving the house without a hair accessory. She especially loved to wear a flower in her hair. Becky was a sharp dresser and was rarely seen without a brooch, clip on earrings, heels and her signature bangs done to perfection. If you were ever in our home, you would have been asked to trim those famous bangs.

In her early years, Becky worked at Ratners Clothing factory. It was there that a blonde, green-eyed Gringo working along side her took notice. Bertram Blinn and Becky soon became friends and began taking their lunch breaks with each other. Before you know it, Bert was breaking up with his girlfriend and Becky was sending a “Dear John” letter off to her boyfriend away at war in Vietnam.

Bert asked her mother for Becky’s hand in marriage. When she inquired about the wedding date, Bert said he wanted to be married by the end of the month! Francisca stated that the wedding could no sooner than three months. We didn’t want the Church to think it was a shotgun wedding!

Several historical events were happening in 1963, John F Kennedy was President; Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King began the first non-violent campaign for Civil Rights in Birmingham, Alabama; the Rolling Stones made their 1st television appearance; the Beatles made their 1st US TV appearance on ABC’s Big Night Out.

But all these events could not top the wedding of Bert and Becky. They were married on May 11, 1963, at Otay Apostolic Church in Chula Vista, California by Pastor Pedro Hermosillo. The bridesmaids were: Betty Silva, Becky Sandez, Phoebe Fuentes, Vicky Cary. The groomsmen were: Rex Davis, Misael Zaragoza, Roberto Moreno and Benjamin Flores. Armandito Tamayo and Diane Dominguez served as the Pages while Aida Flores was the flower girl. The wedding ceremony and reception was all conducted in Spanish and the Gringo groom had to be nudged by the bride throughout the day and served as his personal translator.

Bert lovingly joked about their marriage. He would say:

• “I’m colorblind; I thought I was marrying a blonde.”

• “I didn’t know I married. Mexican Jew. She knew how to save money and always looking for the best deals.”

• “If it wasn't for your Mother I wouldn't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out"

• “The first half of our marriage Becky didn't understand English well & for our 2nd half of our marriage I couldn’t hear!"

• “Why your mom left her beautiful home in Tijuana to marry some poor Gringo from Barrio Logan is beyond me!”

• “Not only was your mom my wife, she was my best friend and she was a lot of fun! She stuck by me through thick and thin.”

• “When she had her mind set on something, she made sure it got done herself. And when she took over... Man, she took over!

• “Becky’s a Mexican firecracker, Watch Out!”

Together they purchased their first and only home in Otay Mesa in 1968 while Becky was pregnant with their second child.

Bert and Becky were married 57 years. Together they had three children: Patricia, LisaJane and Bertram Jr. She had four Grandchildren: MichaelRay Pathmann, Michael Anthony Ferguson, Gabriel Bertram Blinn and Mia Valentina Blinn. She also had bonus Grandchildren: Matthew McKay, Christopher McKay, Sara Haughelstine and Courtney Hudson. Becky had two Great-grandchildren: Aubrey Rose Ferguson and Nathaniel Michael Pathmann. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved being a Nana. You could not leave the house without Becky proclaiming a Blessing on her family by saying “Good Jesus Bless You.”

Becky was a homemaker and kept very busy as she volunteered several years as a room mother at Silver Wing Elementary. She also volunteered as the Team Mom for Bobby Sox Softball and for AYSO Soccer. Becky assisted the Marching Band for Montgomery Junior High and helped out at every parade for three years.

Becky became a naturalized citizen on May 23rd 1980. She and her daughter, Patty, voted together for their first time for Ronald Reagan.

Becky loved to travel. She was fortunate to travel with Bert on his many field service trips along with her best friend and sister, Maria Galvan. Becky made Bert’s travel work assignments feel like vacations. She also loved to take cruises and vacation with friends and family.

Becky worked briefly as a Greeter at Walmart in Otay Mesa and was able to transfer her employment to work as a Greeter in the same city as Bert’s field service assignments. In her free time, she taught herself how to crochet and got pretty good at making blankets.

After Bert’s retirement, she discovered Line Dancing at the Salvation Army for Seniors. This was her new favorite hobby. Becky became so skilled, she was even teaching several line dances.

Bert and Becky ate lunch daily with many close friends at the Senior Center in Imperial Beach. Even after COVID shut down Senior Lunches, it did not stop her from calling people to tell them Happy Birthday, catching up on the latest gossip, and ensuring that everyone stayed in touch with one another.

Becky had surgery on her heart and rapidly became ill and decided it was time to come home. When the day arrived, the ambulance could not bring her home quickly enough and in her excitement, Becky wanted the medics to turn on the lights and sirens because there were simply too many street lights.

Becky rejoiced in coming home for her final days to be surrounded by the love of her family and closest friends. She was able to enjoy the sounds of a worship team singing praise and worship songs in her home. Becky received the anointing of oil and prayed over by her Pastor, Samuel Mascareno. She was also visited and prayed over by Pastor Robert and Sandra Nigro and Pastor Henry and Dolly Aspeytia. Becky passed away peacefully with her husband, Bert, by her side. Becky was 81 on the day she entered the Gates of Glory with a smile on her face.