Evangeline "Angela" Huerta

Evangeline Huerta was born in Morenci, Arizona on September 19, 1920. She was the first-born of Ventura P. Angeles and Maria Soto, and was followed by four sisters Bebe, Josie, Annie, and Armeda; and two brothers, Abel and Raul. Evangeline preferred to be called Angela, and so she was by her family and friends.

Angela's parents were immigrants from Mexico and operated a bakery in Morenci. When the mining activity in Morenci slowed down, the family moved to Los Angeles where her father got a job with the railroad. She attended Lincoln High School from 1935 to 1938, where she played the violin and also played field hockey. After high school, a friend persuaded her to attend the nursing school at General Hospital of Fresno County with her. Despite not knowing anyone in Fresno, Angela agreed to move. She attained her nursing diploma and nursing license in 1942.

While at nursing school, Angela became friends with a young patient named Emily Huerta. Emily introduced Angela to her older brother Henry, who was serving in the U.S. Army. Henry and Angela were married on November 25, 1942 in Reno, Nevada.

While Henry was in the army, Angela stayed with his family. On August 24, 1943 Angela gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth, whom they nick-named "Petunia". At Henry's request, Angela did not seek employment but instead concentrated on raising Elizabeth until she was of school age. Angela did the same for her sons Armando and Ruben who were born on May 27, 1951 and December 1, 1952, respectively.

After his discharge from the military, Henry and Angela settled in Fresno and moved into a house on Collins Avenue. Henry returned to his profession as a barber. In 1955 the family moved into a house on Kearney Boulevard where she would live until the time of Henry's passing 58 years later.

When Angela resumed her nursing career, it was at Sequoia Hospital on Fulton Avenue. It was while working at Sequoia Hospital in 1956 that she met a fellow nurse named Lucy Pryor. Angela and Lucy became life-long friends and shared many moments of joy and supported each other through their own separate heartaches.

Angela subsequently worked at Sierra Hospital on East Dakota until the late 1960s, when she began working for the Head Start Project under the Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1975 she resumed her academic education and in 1977 was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Fresno. In her final year at the university she became friends with a classmate named Elida Vela. Angela introduced Elida to her son Ruben, leading to their marriage in 1979. After graduation Angela began working as a Registered Nurse for the California Department of Social Services.

Angela and Henry's pride and joy were their children and grandchildren, and they were constantly active in their lives. They assisted Elizabeth and her husband Gabe with raising their five children in Fresno. After Angela and Henry retired from their respective jobs in 1985, they increased their involvement with their grandchildren's academic and social events. They would also travel to the Bay Area to share experiences with Ruben's two daughters. Angela and Henry believed strongly in the value of education, and encouraged their children and grandchildren to excel academically. They were generous with their grandchildren and provided financial means for their pursuit of higher education.

In the early 1970s Angela suffered health issues that led to kidney failure and dialysis treatments. In 2000, at the age of 79, she became the oldest recipient of a kidney transplant in California.

She had a friendship and familiarity with Henry that allowed them to bicker with such regularity that they would miss their arguments if they did not occur. Angela embraced her children and grandchildren with love. Angela was at her strongest when she felt needed. Even if engulfed by tragedy she would put aside her pain to relieve the suffering of another.

On October 13, 2013, Angela lost her beloved Henry, after 70 years of marriage. Angela moved from her house to the Carrington Pointe Assisted Living Facility where she made friends with the staff and residents. After complications from an illness, Angela passed away quietly in her sleep on July 24, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth and son Armando.

She is survived by her son Ruben, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.