Theodora L. Gilbert

She was born the fourth of six children to Luz Santoyo and Alejandro Lopez in Bellflower, California on April 1,1919 where she lived until the age of 14. In 1933, she moved with her family to Baja, California. On December 23,1938 she married Vicente Gilbert, the love of her life. They were married for 53 years until he passed in 1991. The two made their home in Chula Vista in the1940’s where they raised their children, Lucy, Carmen and Vincent.

During the war years, Theodora worked as a “Riveter” for both Convair in San Diego and Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista. She worked as a cook for many years and was a restaurant owner during the 60’s, “El Barrelito” in National City and two more restaurants in the 70’s, “La Cita” in National City and “La Siesta” in Lemon Grove. For seven consecutive years, she cooked on weekends for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Anita Street to help raise money for the building of the second church. Her passion was cooking and caring for her family. She took care of her grandchildren and, while in her 80’s, her great-grandchildren driving them to and from school and watching them for many years. She loved doing for them and they adored her.

She is survived by her children, Lucy Sandoval [Raul], Carmen Verdugo [Frank] and Vincent Gilbert, 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild as well as many loving nieces and nephews. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.