Mary Hernandez Navarro

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Mary Navarro, 85, of Ventura, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, following a sudden illness. She went peacefully with her family by her side. Mary was born September 13, 1931, to Jose and Regina Hernandez and was a lifelong Ventura County resident. Mary attended Ventura High School, from where she graduated.

Mary met and fell in love with Larry B. Navarro; they married on July 5, 1952. They were married for 55 years and raised a beautiful family of 8 children.

In her early years, Mary worked for Becton Dickinson Labware in Oxnard and for Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura from where she retired in 1991. She was a devoted parishioner at Sacred Heart Church.

Mary took great pride in her family, always there to help her children, grandchildren, family members and friends, she never said no. Mary and husband Larry enjoyed the annual Navarro Family and Friends trips to Laughlin. She loved camping with the 805 Camping Crew, hosting parties for all occasions and holiday gatherings. Her home was always beautifully decorated for every holiday theme. Mary enjoyed many things in life, but especially barbecuing with her children, their families and friends. She was an avid sports fan; her favorite teams were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Rams. Over the years she loved following her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. Mary had many qualities and specialties, she was a good cook and made the best homemade tortillas.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life, Larry B. Navarro; father, Jose Hernandez; mother, Regina Hernandez; sisters, Virginia Aguirre and Juventine Bianchi; brother, Joe Hernandez; sister in-law, Lydia Hernandez; grandson, Ruben Zaragoza-Navarro, and many more loved ones.

She is survived by daughter, Alice (Lorie Navarro) Lopez of Yucaipa; daughter, Cindy Navarro of Ventura; son, Larry G. Navarro (wife Rosemary) of Santa Paula; daughter, Diane Montoya (husband Mike) of El Rio; daughter, Arlene Villarreal (husband Richard)of Ventura; daughter, Virginia Rodriguez (husband Angel); daughter, Mary (Nanas) Navarro of Ventura; daughter, Amber Navarro of Oxnard; sister, Denise (Nicha) Lopez of Santa Barbara; sister, Mercy Lemos (husband Jess (Chuy) of Ventura; 34 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well as her two trusty companions Kelly Boots and Hennessey.

A celebratory mass will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 10800 Henderson Road Ventura, CA 93004, beginning with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., a Catholic mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial services will follow at Ivy Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura, CA 93003.

We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to the following professionals who shared in the care of our beloved mother: Community Memorial Hospital staff, Buena Vista Hospice and hospice nurse Tina.

Mary was a beautiful woman, a wonderful mother who touched the lives and hearts of many. She will be truly missed by her entire family and all of her friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com