Mary Estrada Valdez

Mary attended Porterville area schools. She was married in Yuma, AZ on November 1, 1942 to Manuel S. Valdez and later they relocated to Planada, CA.

She was a housewife and seasonal worker (in summer/early fall) for Planada Packers (canning company). She enjoyed the work and especially the many friendships. She always looked forward to the canning season so she could catch up with friends and give updates of her family events.

Her pride and joy was her family and spending time with them. She had many fond memories of sleep over’s with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As an excellent seamstress she would make her own clothes as well as many, many garments for her daughters and son. Often she would stay late into the night finishing dresses that would be worn the next day for Easter or Christmas. She also enjoyed crocheting and made beautiful table doilies, accented kitchen and hand towels and dresses for dolls. Mary loved her flowers especially roses and her vegetable garden. Her cherry and orange trees always produced the sweetest fruit and people would come from as far as Mariposa to enjoy them. Being an excellent cook, the aroma from her dishes would instantly make you hungry. Her beautiful smile could brighten any day.

The family wishes to give a heartfelt thank you to La Sierra Country Villa for the wonderful care that was provided to their mom and especially to CNA Carla Martinez, Mom’s personal angel.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel S. Valdez; parents, Bardominano and Tomasa Palomino Estrada; and brother, Louie Estrada.

She leaves behind her children, Lupe (Ramon) Banda, Eleanor Flores, Nellie (Julian) Romero, Henry (Madelyn) Valdez and Mary (LaVon) Treasure; 16 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 8 great, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Vigil Service with Rosary will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 4:00pm-8:00pm with Rosary at 7:00pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B St., Merced, CA. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00am on Friday, January 24, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Planada, 9317 E. Amistad, Planada, CA followed with interment at Plainsburg Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.