Sophie Heredia Robles

Sophie was 7 months short of 100 years! She lived most of her life in Delano, CA. Married to Lugardo Santana Robles for 37 years. Lugardo passed in 1989. He was very involved with the town of Delano; worked for Valley Agriculture Bank, Sierra and Delano Theater part-time. He graduated from Bakersfield College. A proud member of the Eagles, Veterans, American Legion and Toast Masters. With great honor, he was a Korean War Purple Heart recipient.

Sophie enjoyed gardening and baking. She loved to decorate her home for the holidays and always made it a must to shop at Dollar Tree. She was such an independent and self-sufficient lady. She still drove and had an up-to-date driver’s license that was set to expire in 2030! When it came time to renew and test at the DMV, she would always worry and study the manual from beginning to end.

Surviving children with spouses listed: her son Richard and Maria Robles, daughter Sandra and Sal Gutierrez, deceased son Michael Robles; remarried Linda and Danny Ramirez. Grandchildren with spouses listed: Mike and Nadia Robles, Monique and Jake Pritchard, Fernando Gutierrez, and Sally Gutierrez. She will forever be cherished by her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews (special admiration to nephew Dennis and Lucy Jimenez). With heartfelt, thank you to all! She will be dearly missed, we love you, Sophie.

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My grandmother Sophie Heredia Robles was a lady of resilience and inspiration. She was a definitive lady that always displayed her table to the highest expectations. Presentation was a spark that my grandmother had. I was taught to fold the napkins in half to create a triangle and chilling drinkware in the freezer a few minutes before serving. For the sole purpose of enhancing the experience for her guests and loved ones. It wasn’t that she had to do it or told to, she did it for the purpose of appearance. It was all in the details, no matter how small the details were; she went out of her way to please.

Appearance was important to my grandmother. At a young age when she looked after me, she taught me to apply a small amount perfume to the back of the ear and wrists. She would french braid my wild hair before sports practices/games, dance, piano lessons and days that just felt special. As she got ready, Sophie made sure to apply hooped earrings for glamour. In her earlier days, it was a must to wear her so called “Cuban” heels. The ambiance of her home each day will be the local radio station blasting in the kitchen background, or she would play CDs of various genres; from Tom Jones to Vicente Fernandez, Pedro Infante, Juan Gabriel and let us not forget Selena.

It was the aroma of her spritz cookies, sugar cookies and Oreo chocolate whipped cream cake that filled her home. Sophie’s idea of giving included these personal gestures to those who made it a must to visit her. I was truly blessed and very fortunate to have been looked after by my grandmother in my early years. It was her that embedded the mannerism of sharing homemade treats in hopes to spread joy, kindness and connection.

Sophie gave EVERYTHING and all she had to OFFER towards her gift giving. It wasn’t for the expectation of getting praise or many thanks. It was for the reason of her not letting you leave her home empty-handed. She taught me to not ask but just bring what you have to offer if you were to go to people’s homes/festivities/gatherings. She bestowed loved ones with items picked by her with scented tissue paper that may have been spritzed/powdered with fragrance. You will often find an occasional holiday themed wired bow looped, tied and perfected by her. She had the eye and touch of an expert florist. It was her that made me the person I am today.

My grandmother had this distinctive laugh, I really can’t put it into words, but it was like a benevolent giggle. It would often be heard in person or phone conversation. It was her way of genuinely agreeing with your statement and finding humor in what you mentioned. I never told my mom Sandra this, but there have been times when I find her with the same feature as my grandmother.

Sophie was a sincere and honest mother, sister, aunt and most of all GRANDMOTHER. She had wit and even took matters in her own hands if need be. She always scolded the telephone company for every scent billed. She was persistent in wanting to talk to them on various occasions for solutions on billing. Her willingness to be self-sufficient and independent was what I valued her most. It shows us that a person like my grandmother who is generous, kind and willing to give all she has to offer without expecting personal gain is unparalleled. It is rare and an extraordinary gift that we got to have her in our lives.

Thank you Sophie, for always including us in your prayers. Your legacy will forever be in our hearts and the sacrifices you went through will never be forgotten. Your wisdom and compassion have shaped and influenced us all greatly. I will keep you near and dear my heart grandmother; and will LOVE YOU for the rest of our lives. From the Gutierrez Family (Sandra, Sal, Fernando and Sally).