'Grandma' Rita Luna (Garcia) Villalobos was born on October 14, 1916 in Ventura, Ca. to Faustino Luna and Maria Salas Ayala. Survived by siblings Florence Valdes and Geneva Montes as well as her two surviving children Edward Villalobos II and Alfred Villalobos. She was surrounded by love and many family members at the time of her passing on June 1, 2019.
Rita's story begins shortly after the passing of her mother. 1930, at the young age of 14, Rita was launched into the position of a young adult. Her father pulled her from her 8th grade classroom in order to care for the household and siblings. She worked apart of the Santa Paula and Ojai apricot packing and processing houses in the 1940s after moving to Santa Paula from Watts, Ca in 1945. Rita was known for her humor, wit and vigor. She instilled her fight and hilarity in her immediate family members, 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and her 21 godchildren.
Rita taught us to only surround yourself with love. And though her fire in this physical world is no longer, let us not forget that her mind was still sharp. Sadly, it was the body that wouldn't allow her to go on. She went to rest and she did it her way. In recent years and final days, her caregivers and granddaughters Michelle Cagle and Marisa Avila, did absolutely everything in their power to assist Rita with what she needed.
She loved her visitors, her grandbabies, her sisters, her sons, getting her phone calls, she loved her food, especially arroz con pollo and her bbq ribs, loved dancing, was always looking forward to travel and above all, she was very close to God. She was one of the most spiritual people one could come across, her faith was unquestionable and her connection to her Lord never wavered. Rita is preceded in death by many family members and friends. Sure, her time here is done, however, her time with all of those that have passed is now beginning. We will always love, miss and cherish our time together, Grandma.
