Julia R. Herrera

Our hearts are heavy with sadness at the loss of the Herrera family Matriarch - an awesome mother, grandmother, aunt, wife, and woman. We can look to God to help us through our pain, for the Bible gives us comfort.

On January 7th, 2016, Julia Herrera breathed her last breath at Cottage in the Meadow with family and friends by her side. Julia was born in San Jose the Aura, Coahuila, Mexico to Jose and Francisca Rodriguez on December 30th, 1922. Julia was one of 12 children, with five brothers and six sisters.

Mom met the love of her life, Tomas Herrera, in 1941, and married him April 17th, 1943. Being that Dad was from Texas, they resided in Eagle Pass, Texas, until migrating to Toppenish, Washington.

Julia and Tomas had eight children; eldest, Santiago Herrera and family, Eagle Pass; the late Tomas Herrera Jr. and family of eagle Pass; Marta Herrera and family of College Place, Wa; Anna Herrera Henderson and family of Yakima, Wa; Ma. Victoria Ruvalcaba and family of Yakima, Wa; Jose “Joe” Herrera and family of Yakima, Wa; Francisca Herrera Francis and family of Walla Walla, Wa; and Marcos Herrera and family of Yakima, Wa.

Mom worked part time in seasonal work, was a homemaker full time, and she loved serving God as a church planter and fundraiser for church building.

Grandma’s great professional accomplishments also included her work as a foster grandma at EPIC in Parker Heights.

Another accomplishment was The Abuela project in which she collaborated with WSU to develop a Queso Fresco recipe that was safe and helped reduce the rate of food-borne illness in the Latino community. She served at EPIC and her work with WSU was a great source of joy and pride for her.

Julia loved her grandchildren of which she had 19; 23 great grandchildren and 6 great, great grandchildren.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband Tomas Herrera Sr., Tomas Herrera Jr., granddaughter Soyla Garcia and numerous family members, brothers, and sisters.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 14th, 2016 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at the 35th Avenue 7th Day Adventist Church on January 15th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Terrace heights Memorial Park.To share a memory of Julia, please visit www.keithandkeith.com