Maria Magdalena Carrasco

Our beloved Maria Magdalena Carrasco, 89 years of age from Visalia, California, was surrounded by her large loving family in her cherished hometown of Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico when she passed on, Wednesday, October 25, 2017. Her life was blessed and honored by hundreds of her family members during a beautiful three day vigil before returning to her family in Visalia.

Maria Magdalena De Santiago Delgado Carrasco is the eldest of six daughters and three brothers born to their parents, Feliciano De Santiago and Soledad Delgado, on July 22, 1928 in El Naranjal, Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. She married her husband Manuel Porfirio Carrasco Gutierrez in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, leaving a few years later to seek a better life for her children. After arriving to California with her two eldest, they soon established their home in Visalia. Maria and her husband were committed to providing greater opportunities for their family and she labored for 69 years as a farmworker picking cotton, tomatoes for Tamuzian Brothers Farms, then as a packing house worker at Martin Ranch (Rancho Blanco) and Klink Packing House, among others.

Maria was a loving and dedicated wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, hermana, tia, comadre and amiga, who was preceded in death by her beloved sons, Antonio Carrasco and Mike Carrasco and husband of 68 years, Manuel Carrasco. She lived with and was cared for by her daughter Amelia Carrasco, granddaughter Marcella Ramos and great grandson, Bryson Pharr. Maria is survived by her daughter Connie Anderson and son Joe Carrasco. She was a proud grandmother to Sonia Ramos, Marcella Ramos, Lisa Anderson, Celeste Rhyner (Carrasco), Melissa Reyna (Carrasco), Daniela Dean (Carrasco), Crystal Garcia (Carrasco), Bobby Anderson, Marlena Carrasco, Michael Carrasco and Christina Anderson. She adored her great grandchildren, Sierra Dean, Noah Reyna, Seriah Reyna, Jordan Rhyner, Bryson Pharr, Bobby Anderson, Toni Dean and Khloe Rhyner.

Maria’s greatest joys were spending time with those she loved. Even though her siblings and extended family remained in Jerez, Zacatecas, they were always close to her heart and she looked forward to return visits, weekly phone calls and exchanging letters and photos. She loved the lord, a devout Catholic and member of Holy Family Church. She relished her time with family, celebrating special occasions and never failed to make her family feel special with her handwritten cards. Our precious Maria always opened her home to anyone passing through and her kitchen was the heart of her home. She was happiest when she was cooking, showing her love by always offering her delicious home cooked dishes, making sure no one left without a hearty meal, during visits from family and friends. Her family will miss her famous frijoles de la olla, handmade tortillas and gorditas, chicken mole, atole, tamales and so much more. Maria also loved spending time outdoors in her garden, manicuring her beautiful plants and flowers and caring for her precious parakeets. She was a talented crafter who loved to spend time knitting and crocheting, creating special pieces to gift to her family and friends. Maria enjoyed listening to music from her favorite artists Juan Gabriel, Jenni Rivera, Rocio Durcal, Pepe Aguilar, Antonio Aguilar and watching her novelas and Mexican cinema, especially Cantinflas movies and others.

Your family will be forever be grateful for all the sacrifices you made to secure a better life for us and the unconditional love you gave. We will miss your gift of blessings we always received from you each time we said goodbye, hearing your gentle voice when telling stories of our familia in Mexico, and especially the touch of your kisses, your beautiful smile, and loving hugs. Que dios te bendiga, nuestra querida abuelita. Siempre en nuestros corazones. We love you Grandma!

Visitation will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia on Monday, November 6, 2017 from 10 -11:30. Rosary will begin at 11:30 a.m. immediately followed by funeral services. Burial will be at Visalia Public Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.