Mary Lou Robledo

As the sun was setting on the first day of Winter Solstice, December 21, 2022, Mary Lou Robledo took her last breath as she was surrounded by her loved ones. Mary Lou Robledo was born July 8th, 1940 in Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico to Ruth and Andres Carrillo. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father worked as a suitcase maker and later as a Bracero. Mary Lou came to the United States as a child along with her six siblings and parents where they settled in the Salinas Valley. She spent her summers working the fields picking and packing lettuce, carrots, tomatoes and strawberries. She would carefully cover her delicate skin with handkerchiefs, long sleeves and gloves to protect herself from the beating sun. While attending Gonzales High School she met the love of her life Joe Robledo. They married June 8th, 1957 and started a life in Soledad, CA. In 1972 , they moved their young family to San Jose, CA. They built a life with their family based on love and faith in God. Mary Lou had such faith in the Lord. She taught her children, grandchildren and her nieces and nephews to love God and to always have faith in God’s love. She exuded love and patience for all. She gave freely and without judgment; she was always one to give and help those in need and would never expect any recognition in doing so.

As Mary Lou’s children grew older she began work outside the home. She worked at Fourphase in Cupertino, CA for 15 years. She would eventually retire from Olympus in Milpitas, CA where she worked in the quality control department.

Mary Lou enjoyed cooking savory meals, puzzles, sewing, reading her Guidepost and Readers Digest, and being outdoors with her flowers, chile and tomato plants. She embraced the moments when she taught her family how to cook her favorite foods and relished in the joy of teaching her great-grandchildren how to make buñuelos on New Year’s Day. Her favorite time of year was Christmas. She loved Christmas for the decorations, food and family gatherings. She loved when her grown children and grandchildren would gather to help make tamales. The tamale making event was a special time of teaching and laughter. She would quietly and gently correct those who did not meet the perfect width and amount of masa on the corn husk; always so loving and patient. During the summer or Fall she and her beloved Joe would visit Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf where they would enjoy a hot bowl of clam chowder. She was able to make a meal out of almost any ingredient. When her children were small she would make great baloney sandwiches or a fresh pot of beans with homemade tortilla chips, simple yet filling and tasty. She loved cooking tacos and sharing them with family and friends. We are grateful for her teachings of the family recipes.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her beloved Joe Robledo. She is survived by her seven children Sylvia Ramirez (JR) of San Jose, CA, Joe Robledo (Grace) of San Jose, CA, Cindy Portillo (Rocque) of Manteca, CA, Victor Robledo (Rosie) of Hollister, CA, Peter Robledo (Mel) of San Jose, CA, Abe Robledo (Lisa) of Lathrop, CA, Ben Robledo (Veva) of San Jose, CA, sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Her legacy of love, patience, and giving will continue with her family. We will miss Mary Lou, mom, grandma and great-grandma.

Services for Mary Lou are as follows:

Thursday Jan. 26, 2023 at Oak Hill Memorial Park

Chapel of the Oaks

4:00-5:30 - Viewing

5:30 - 7:00- Officiant Prayer Service

Friday, Jan. 27, 2023

10:00-11:30 - Viewing

11:30 - Officiant Funeral Service

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oakhillfuneral.com for the Robledo family.