Vicky Contreras

Eduviges (Vicky) O. Contreras was born and raised in La Huacana, Michoacan, Mexico on January 12, 1942. She grew up as the only child of Samuel and Consuelo Ortiz. Her golden hair and fair complexion earned her the name of ‘Blanca’ as a little girl. Later, she would be given the nickname ‘La Güera,’ a moniker that would stay with her for the rest of her life.

Curious Vicky enjoyed school but liked climbing trees even more as a little girl. Subsequently, a hard fall resulted in painful reminders that would resurface for decades to come. Little Vicky had truly gone out on a limb!

Several years later, at about age 16, as Vicky blossomed into a beautiful young lady, she entered a local pageant. She won the honor of queen in her humble town, Las Colonias Cenobio Moreno, as the title of La Reina de las Fiestas Patrias del 16 de Septiembre was bestowed upon her.

While Vicky enjoyed the attention and socializing with friends, her father Samuel was very strict and kept close watch on his only daughter. He did not want any young men to think they could get serious with his beautiful ‘Güera.’ Conversely, her mother Consuelo was more understanding and encouraged Vicky to go out, enjoy her youth and make new friends.

As fate would have it, on a visit to the big city of Uruapan, Michoacan in 1961, while attending the wedding of future family members, Roman and Rosalinda, Vicky met a handsome man some 13 years her senior named Tony. They would soon strike up a secretive and adventurous romance that would result in them racing to the altar and marrying on July 10, 1963, despite her father’s fierce disapproval It was a bittersweet ceremony for Vicky as she was walked down the aisle by her Tio Blas and not her father. The conspicuous absence of her parents on her wedding day would stay with Vicky forever.

Lovebirds Vicky and Tony headed to Chicago, Illinois and their union would bring a son, Samuel (named after Vicky’s father!), who was born the following year on July 3, 1964.

Tony and Vicky realized the Midwest was much too cold and windy for their tastes, so they eventually settled in sunny Southern California. Subsequently, daughter Olga was born on April 1st, 1968 in the Los Angeles area.

Tony and Vicky raised their two children in Walnut Park, an idyllic area of Huntington Park. There, they bought their first home (Vicky often complained about the kitchen being too small for her cooking exploits!)in 1972.

Family trips to Mexico in the following years included visits to Cancun, Acapulco and Mazatlan to name just a few destinations! Such trips also gave Vicky and Tony the opportunity to introduce their kids, who they were so proud of, to many relatives and friends in Michoacan.

Some 21 years later, Tony had the ‘Grand’ idea of selling their Walnut Park home despite Vicky’s reservations; she had learned to love – small kitchen and all! – the cozy home where her beloved Samuel and Olga had been raised.

Finally, Vicky was convinced to make the move to an expansive newer home in Diamond Bar that included a big beautiful garden with endless rose bushes and other blooms that she and Tony tended to with loving care.

Within two years of their big move to Diamond Bar, the proud homeowners became empty nesters, much to Vicky’s dismay! Olga and Samuel married their respective spouses, Richard and Patricia, just months apart, in 1993.

The house on Bellows Court wasn’t quiet for long as Vicky and Tony became grandparents in 1995, when they welcomed granddaughters Samantha and Amanda. Future years saw more grandchildren come into the world as Aidan, Adriana, Erich and Andrew were added to the growing, tight-knit family.

While Vicky worked 10 years for a towel manufacturer, her true passion was being a homemaker, helping raise Samuel and Olga. Years later, she was a doting grandmother as she helped care for the grandkids with her ‘unique’ home remedies before and after school. Vicky shared her Spanish with the grandkids only to discover it fell on deaf ears! Grandma Vicky tried her best to communicate in English which at times resulted in mere nods or blank looks!

Vicky continued enjoying life with Tony as they made numerous trips to Mexico in subsequent years, most notably to visit her beloved mother, Consuelo, who she kept in close touch with, despite the regrettable distance.

In her later years, Vicky joined in car rides to appointments and errands with Olga and Samuel that gave her the precious time to converse about all things family, novelas and the latest news on her favorite celebrities!

Vicky lived to see Samuel and Olga graduate college, as well as Amanda, Adriana and Samantha. She also dreamed of the day when Aidan, Erich and Andrew would receive their college diplomas. Vicky couldn’t be more proud to know that her children and six grandchildren were good citizens who helped make the world a better place.

In her final moments, Vicky was serene as she closed her eyes for the last time. She was ready to go with her Tio Blas, who escorted down the aisle many years before. Vicky was also ready to reunite with her parents and the love of her life, her beloved Tony.