August 4, 1939 - April 9, 2024
Dominga Marinez of Perris, CA, died in her sleep at home on April 9, 2024, at the age of 84, after an admirable battle with various health problems. She ultimately succumbed to symptoms of a cerebral infarction complicated with final-stage dementia.
Dominga was born in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico on August 4, 1939, to Tiburcia Gallegos Graciano and Antonio Graciano. The family moved north to Ejido Distrito Federal, a small ranch/farming community in Baja California, where they lived with little means. When she was 17, she moved to Los Angeles, CA, in search of a better life for herself.
She worked in the garment industry as a highly skilled and creative seamstress. In 1969, she gave birth to George. That same year, she met Joe Marinez, whom she married. They lived together in El Sereno, City of Industry, and finally Perris, CA, until he died in 2023.
Together, they had two children, Valinda and David.
She was a doting mom volunteering at her kids’ schools as a class aide or school trip chaperone. She provided her three children with many experiences, from beach trips, museums and gardens, and the many trips back to Baja California to visit her family. Valinda remembers her endearingly saying, “My mom was an amazing, beautiful, and giving person. Regardless of the immense pain she endured from her arthritis and late-stage CKD, she got up every day, did her best to tackle tasks, run errands, and cooked wonderful food - especially known for her handmade flour tortillas, Mexican rice, and salsa. She wasn’t just the best mom, teaching us great values and always being our biggest champion; she was my best friend. I loved and will cherish all our adventures together”.
George remembers her: “She was a caring mom who often went out of her way to ensure that her children and others were cared for as best as possible. When I was a child, she often would give me some money to buy some type of treat with enough to get something for whoever I was with. Mom taught me much about respecting others and standing up for myself. Mom also taught me most of what I know about cooking. I often called her for advice on recipes for some old-fashioned home-cooked Mexican dishes. My family often commented that my cooking was good but not as good as hers.”
Dominga was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, three sisters, her only grandchild, and her husband. She leaves behind her children. She will be missed dearly by many and loved deeply forever.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Joe & Dominga’s home in Perris, followed by the internment of her urn on Friday, May 10, 2024. More details to follow.
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