Socorro Cora Contreras

Socorro “Cora” Contreras, age 66, loving mother to 3 sons and adoring wife to husband, Pio Fidel Contreras, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Cora was born to Anastacio Vincent Valenzuela and Eleanor Aceves on July 17, 1955 in Fresno, CA and was the youngest of 5 children.

Her greatest joy in life was being a wife to her wonderful husband, mother to her 3 sons, grandmother to her 6 grandchildren, great grandmother to her 4 great grandsons and Nina to countless godchildren.

Despite deciding to discontinue high school after giving birth to her sons, Gerardo and George, she accomplished her dream of walking in her high school graduation ceremony and received her GED after completing classes at Central Unified Adult School in 1988. Her family describes this as one of her proudest moments and she would say her sons were what inspired her to go back to school.

Cora met Fidel, the love of her life in July of 1979 and soon thereafter they got married in September of 1980. She gave birth to their youngest son Johnny in November 1981. Cora and Fidel celebrated 41 years of love and dedication to each other on September 29, 2021. They worked hard to provide for their family through the years. Cora worked various jobs, but most recently worked as a teacher’s assistant for special needs students in the Central Unified school district and retired in the early 2000s.

Through the years, she was an active member of her church and also participated in many of her sons’ various school and extracurricular activities and became “mom” to many of her sons’ friends. Cora was a people person, she loved her family and friends and loved to plan parties and get togethers. Her house was always open to everyone. She loved bringing people together and according to her sons and her husband, she would talk to anyone and could make friends anywhere she went. She was always looking forward to planning the next gathering, even in her last months.

Cora was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margie, sister Vickie, brother John and grandson Louis. She is survived by her oldest sister, Rosa De La Pena, devoted husband, Pio Fidel Contreras and 3 loving sons, Gerardo Gonzalez, George Gonzalez, Johnny Contreras and daughter-in-law, Careen Contreras. Also by her precious grandchildren, Alura Gonzalez, Anisah Gonzalaz, George Gonzalez Jr., Joshua Gonzalez, Kayla Gonzalez and great grandsons Louis Gonzales, Carmine Gonzales, Harlem Gonzales, and Kane Gonzalez.

Viewing will be held at Stephen’s and Bean Funeral Chapel, 202 N. Teilman Ave. in Fresno, on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Rosary to start at 6:00 pm with Seminarian Adrian Arreola. Funeral will be held on Thursday, December 16th 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, 4636 W. Dakota Ave., in Fresno, with Father Timothy Cardoso presiding. Burial to follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery, 264 N. Blythe Ave. in Fresno, Father Jesus Del Angel presiding.

The Contreras/Gonzalez family will greet friends and family at a lunch reception to honor Socorro’s life at St. Mary’s Queen or Apostles Catholic Church, following the burial.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Contreras family.