Maria Ruiz Perez

Resident of Brentwood known as "Abuela" Maria R. Perez passed away peacefully on April 23, 2017, surrounded by family at the age of 95. Born in Manalisco, Jalisco, Mexico in a little ranch on the outskirts of Yahualica called Agua Colorado to the parents of Eucebio Ruiz and Petra Guitterez .She came to the United States in the late 40's. Asked why and with a smile she replies " to work and to wear pants!"Maria was one of the oldest "campesinas" in the Brentwood area. She retired in 1986. It was the saddest day of her life Earlier the "Cesar Chavez Organization" found out Maria and the fact that she was one of the oldest farm workers still in the fields. They did an extensive work up on her and used it in the fight to secure wages and benefits for the farm workers, including ousting the "short hoe" an implement used for years. Maria worked so much in the fields that she never had time to apply for citizenship. Finally in 1999, she did. She studied and studied, waited for the day they would call her number. Finally in Oct. of 2001, she took the test and passed. In Dec. of 2001, she took the oath in San Francisco, CA. She was really proud.Maria is proceeded in death by her brother Jose Guitterez from Mexico and son-in-law Raul Navarro of Manteca. Maria will be truly missed by her dog "Huero". He was always by her side. She will be missed by her children. She is survived by Esther Navarro, Robert Perez (Lisa), Jose Perez (Maria), Alice Gonzales (Samuel), Grace, John, Jesse, and Javier. Maria had 19 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and 18 great great grandchildren.Visitation, Thurs., April 27th, 5 pm to 7 pm at the Brentwood Funeral Home, 839 First St., Brentwood. A Mass will be held on Fri., April 28th, 1 pm at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood. Following Mass, burial will be at the Union Cemetery, 11545 Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, CA.