Maria Rosa Morales

Maria Rosa Morales, born January 11, 1928 in Limoneira-Santa Paula. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dolores Salazar Morales (Sookie); her beloved parents, Basilio and Felicitas Cabral; seven beloved brothers, Lupe, Pedro, Aurelio, Tony, Jose, Manuel, and Juan Cabral; one beloved sister, Jesusita Cabral, and Jesus “Chuy” Carrera.

Our beloved Mother/Wela passed away on the evening of May 18th at 11:22pm, in the presence of family with no signs of struggle, pain, or any discomfort of any kind. Something we know that in her daily silent prayers, she asked God and our Holy Mother Mary to intercede for her in the event of her passing.

Shortly after birth, our Mother/Wela went to Mexico with her parents and family growing up in the beautiful village of Cueva Grande, Zacatecas. Her storied of her upbringing in the “rancho” brought joy and pleasure in her storytelling to the delight of her children, grandchildren, and friends. From a source through a relative of hers, she was an elite woman of bareback horse riding, riding with the best of men within her rancho. A self-taught educated child with the help of her brother, Aurelio, she managed to read in the Spanish and English language upon her return to California. She lived and was raised up at the rancho well into her teens and made her trek back to California where on October 28, 1950, married her soul mate “Sookie” Morales.

In 1951, she welcomed her first-born son, David, followed by Jack (1953), and Raymond (1956). The “campito” was our home for the first years as family, followed by living at good ol’ Highway 126, where during this time there was scarcely any traffic, before finally settling at our permanent home on Lora Lane in 1962. In the early year of 1964 (February), our Mom and Dad welcomed a precious addition to our family, Ana Maria Carrera, who instantly became our adopted daughter and sister that we didn’t have, as we shared 15 years of life here on Lora Lane, and always assisting Mom in the kitchen to help serve family, friends, and at retreats. In addition, in 1966, Mom also welcomed Jesus “Chuy” Carrera, who shared life here with us for five plus years before moving on to Oakland.

Employment came easy for Mom, once her sons began their schooling, her wants to contribute financially at home became evident. Never surrendering to hard physical work, she established herself in the many citrus packinghouses here in Rancho Sespe, Fillmore, and Piru. In her nearly 30 years of employment, she became an obligated, accountable, and devoted employee. Her trademark of work ethics has been absorbed and passed on to her family.

The joy and comfort of her life was being proud of her Catholic faith, instilling in us the teachings of our faith through her daily example of worship, prayer, and treating others as we would want to be treated. She never backed down in assisting our local St. Francis of Assisi Church in many ways of service through her participation in the Mission Circle, Los Padrinos, Altar Society, Catechism instructional assistant, Eucharist Minister, fiesta bake sales, wonderful hostess to her three sons and friends by cooking dinners for home games and birthdays, cooking for youth and confirmation retreats, as well as a Godmother to many. Her joy was inviting our local priests when given the opportunity to serve dinner in their honor. Mom’s cuisine was truly something to boast about as each of her family had their favorite God given dish that she prepared.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt blessings and ‘Thank You’s’ to Dr. Mikael Hakasson, Marta and Staff; to Buena Vista Palliative and Hospice Care; to Deacon Ramon Rodriguez for bringing Mom her nourishment of the Holy Eucharist every Sunday; to Rosa Rodriguez in her loving care as Mom’s hygiene caregiver; to Rita Talamantez for being Mom’s “Spiritual Taxi” for taking Mom to mass every week; to Lupe Carrillo for her home visits in cutting Mom's hair; and last but certainly not least, to all our neighbors, friends, and family who came through our door of welcome to visit Mom.

Our beloved Mother/Wela is survived by her daughter Ana Maria (Tony); sons David, Jack, and Raymond (Juanita); first generation of grandchildren Lina (Sergio), Jaclyn, Martin (Nereida), Anthony (Olga), John (Arlene), Daniel (Alisa), Stephen, Matthew (Diana), Analissa (Michael), and Sophia; sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, brother Luis Cabral (Santa Paula), and numerous nieces and nephews.