Erika Martie Rubio

The butterfly is one of the most beautiful, fascinating and delicate of creatures. However, to get to that beauty, throughout their lifetime, these magnificent marvels go through a complete metamorphosis, taking them through stages of profound change in appearance, character, function and purpose.

Like the butterfly, our lives can take us through many stages of growth and development, maturing us into who we’ll become. Our plans, goals and purpose may change. Sometimes along our journey we may experience mountains, valleys and clear paths. Sometimes we may have to forge through uphill climbs or may at times get stuck in the mud. Sometimes we may have to reverse, restart or redirect our lives. As Ms. Angelou points out, we overlook the changes the butterfly had to go through to achieve its beauty. In the same respect we may overlook the significant and sacrificial change a life can go through to achieve the products of growth in their life. What we see may be the results of tears to joy, mistakes to maturity, destructive thoughts and behavior to development, as well as pain to purpose.

Such was the unique and exceptional life of Erika Martie Rubio. Amidst the challenges and adversities of her life, was a woman whose life was transformed through sacrifice, much love, beauty, unselfish giving, perseverance and new purpose.

Erika Martie Rubio’s life began on January 9, 1977, in Bakersfield, California to Gilbert Sanchez Rubio and Ana Marie Heras.

She was raised and educated in Bakersfield, California.

Erika had a natural beauty – a beauty which was recognized and sought after by casting agents for modeling. They especially loved her versatility. For though she was young, with a bit of makeup and maybe changes with her hair, she could easily cast for someone older. Erika also traveled throughout California with her mother and sister participating in pageants. Her mom kept Erika and her sister busy. She was also involved in dance and twirling the baton. Among her many talents, was also her gift of singing.

At fifteen, Erika entered a new stage in her life – motherhood. She gave birth to her first son, Omar David Flores, Jr. Being a good mother, she set aside her aspirations to focus her time fully on taking care of her son. At the age of twenty, she met and married her former husband, Andree B. Zapata. To their union three children were born, Christian, Matthew, and Andree. Erika was also mother to Andree’s five other children.

Although Erika held different jobs here and there, her best and most rewarding job by far was that of being a homemaker. By the time she was in her twenties, she had a total of nine children in the house which she cared for. She dedicated her younger years solely to her family, especially her children. She was revered and respected for the sacrifices, devotion, the energy, the time and the life she put into each and every one of her children. Although it wasn’t always easy, it is said that “she did a hell of a job” with her children because of who they are and how they are today.

Along with life’s great joys, there are also many challenges. After approximately ten years of marriage, Andree and Erika divorced. The divorce was tough on her. She was at a loss as to what to do, what new direction to take or how to move forward in life. Unwilling to burden anyone, especially her children with what she was feeling, the weight of all of it overwhelmed her. She spiraled into a dark path, where she lost her way. For quite a while it took a toll on her family. But it was with the love, strength, encouragement, help and support of her family, that Erika was able to overcome.

While Erika was in rehab, her eldest son stepped up to help raise his younger siblings. Erika’s mom and sister were also invaluable caregivers to her children. They became the anchor for her to find her way and herself again. Erika emerged triumphant from a once very dark period in her life.

Some noteworthy things about Erika: She was a Catholic, a spiritual woman as well as an avid reader of her Bible. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her sons – all her children. She had an extremely generous spirit. Even if it meant that she went without, she gave unselfishly. She also loved to help people. After she went through the rehabilitation process, she tried to help those struggling with addictions to find their way to sobriety. At times she even opened her home to them. This was a powerful and awesome testament to her life and the type of woman she was. After she endured through challenges and overcame, she wanted to extend the same help, care and compassion shown to her to others during their time of need. Erika also found new purpose and joy in life with the birth of her grandchildren. They invigorated her. She even commented on how much her granddaughter reminded her of herself when she was younger. Her grandchildren loved to play with her because she was a very animated grandma. She thoroughly enjoyed playing with them as well. Finally, we cannot go without mentioning her four-legged friend Gizmo. She loved this dog like it was one her children, and she will be deeply missed by him.

Erika departed this life on June 4, 2022. She lived a life deserving and worthy of celebration. Although not void of challenges, she lived a life of faith, generosity and love. She made her life matter in the life of others. She was extremely loved and will be truly missed.

She was predeceased by her father, Gilbert Sanchez Rubio, who passed away April 26, 2018.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Mother, Ana Marie Heras; Sister, Michelle A. Rubio; Sons, Omar David Flores, Jr. and his wife, Celeny Flores, Christian Michael Zapata, Matthew Raul Zapata and Andree Felix Zapata; grandchildren, Jayden Christopher Flores and Bailey Amay Flores; step children, Anthony Zapata, Joseph Zapata, Andrea Zapata, Christopher Zapata and Jennifer Zapata; and a host of other family, relatives and friends.