Bertha Gascon Samaniego

Bertha Gascon Samaniego tragically passed away in a car accident Thursday evening January 26, 2017 on highway 50 in Placerville, California. She was returning home from a church dinner at a private residence. She was 86 years old. Bertha was the wife of late Armando Vazquez Samaniego (passed in 2006). They married in 1956. They made their home in Placerville in 1957. They loved Placerville. They shared 50 years of marriage together.

Born Nov 30, 1930 in Zinaparo, Michoacan, Mexico, Bertha “tita” was the daughter of Hilario Martinez Gascon and Maria Guadalupe Millan de Enriquez. Her parents married in secret in 1929 in a Catholic wedding to avoid persecution during the Cristero Rebellion War, eventually immigrating north to work on the Golden Gate Bridge. They instilled in Bertha an inquisitive mind, a love for diplomacy, interest in people, reading, poetry, classical music, Bible study, value in education, and the beauty of family and church.

Throughout her life, Bertha drew strength and comfort from her mother’s favorite book in the writing of Santa Teresa de Jesus.

Let nothing disturb you,


Let nothing frighten you,


All things are passing away:


God never changes.

Patience obtains all things.


Whoever has God lacks nothing;


God alone suffices.”

― Teresa of Ávila

Nada te turbe,

Nada te espante,

Todo se pasa,

Dios no se muda.

La paciencia todo lo alcanza;

Quien a Dios tiene Nada le falta

Sólo Dios basta

― Teresa of Ávila

Bertha was a devout Catholic and belonged to Saint Patrick Parish where she attended mass weekly, and sometimes more, where she made a difference and touched many lives. She was actively involved in the Church attending Catholic conferences and heading several church committees to help fellow parishioners and the local & global community.

Throughout her life, she had a curious mind with a keen near photographic memory often and easily citing dates and times of key events. She also had an acute interest in human anatomy with a book and pictures always nearby even in her final days as she did throughout her entire life.

Bertha was fiercely independent and extremely energetic remodeling her home at the age of 82, socially active, and dedicated to the service of others. She practiced living in gratitude daily, frequently finding simple things in life just to say or murmur “Gracias a Dios” and “Bendito sea Dios” several times a day throughout her entire life.

She uniquely enjoyed helping making a difference in the Church and in the community by bringing many faiths together to improve our world. She also enjoyed gardening, traveling, cooking, and reading poetry and the Bible.

She was exceptionally devoted to her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her 7 children & spouses, 21 grandchildren & spouses, and 8 great grandchildren and a multitude of friends.

Abraham Lincoln and Benito Juarez she admired for their compassion and leadership.

Bertha was touched by the Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis speaking to the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. in 2015 as a humble contribution leading by example in D.C. as the best path forward for humanity.

Bertha attended the Women’s March on January 21, 2017 in Placerville along with her children and grandchildren who were also participating on the same day in Washington DC, Denver, Chicago and San Francisco to promote the awareness of women’s future role and influence in bringing together diverse communities around the world.

Bertha is survived by her 1 brother Alberto & Marina Gascon; 7 children Ricardo & Paloma Samaniego, Armando & Lissett Samaniego, David & Shelby Samaniego, Tony & Kim Samaniego, Maria & John Taylor, Lydia Samaniego, and Eduardo Samaniego; 21 grandchildren Leticia, Palomita, Clara, Gabriel, Daniel, Michael, Amelia, Emma, Nicolas, Mishca, Maya, Kristen, Jessica, Kathherine & Will Hansen, Robert & Aryana Taylor, Madeline & Tim Simmons, Natalie & Chase Bulkin, Joseph, Joshua, Wesley, and Thomas; 8 great grandchildren Wyatt, Irah, Allison, Johnny, Truett, Faith, Matix, Lila and Aryana with a boy due May 2017.

Bertha’s influence of Love and Compassion will endure through the many lives she kindly touched and enriched.