Maria Antonia Galvez

Born María Rodríguez y González in Los Palacios, in the Pinar del Río province of Cuba, she grew up between the family’s rural home and later, a move to Havana. She emigrated to the United States in August 1962, following the takeover of the country’s government by Fidel Castro.

She lived briefly in Miami, Florida and settled in Los Angeles, California, where she would work and eventually meet her husband, Eddie Danilo Gálvez. They married, bought a home in Bell Gardens, and began raising their two daughters, Sandra (Sandi) and Amarili. Eddie passed away from illness early in their marriage that lasted only five years.

María worked as a seamstress to support her girls and keep her home intact. She also made beautiful clothes and home furnishings for them for school, work, and special occasions. She was at times employed to do the same for others in the family, for neighbors and friends. One story tells of how she made the prom dress for a niece when the family was unable to afford it. She also was the childcare provider for most of the working neighborhood parents for a few decades, which was the foundation for many lasting relationships. One young woman in particular even refers to her affectionately as abuelita to this day. She loved you like family, too, Julie. Also very close to María over the years are family friends Sara Gutiérrez (Julie’s mom!) and Hilda Zermeño. They, too, unsurprisingly hold her (still) in high regard.

María loved all of her brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and extended family very much. She always made an effort to call, visit, and keep in touch over the years. Keeping the fabric of the whole family together was very important to her.

María is survived by her two daughters who each live with their respective partners, Barry Young Kim and Leo Upshaw. They also visited with and cared for her – Leo got used to losing at dominoes. Most especially Barry who was so very supportive and present as Sandi’s husband, assisted with María’s care in her final months. The family also wants to acknowledge and express their deep gratitude to Victoria Sánchez and Yaneth Martínez who were María’s care providers. Their presence, availability, daily care, patience, affection and attention to her were indispensable, and will be forever appreciated and cherished.

For as long as she was able, María enjoyed working in her garden. She could usually be found pulling weeds, caring for her roses, trimming bushes, or one of her other favorite past times: sweeping and cleaning. María had a hearty appetite, and anyone who knew her, knew that she ate everything “except no spicy food” and loved ice cream! María was sociable, with a charitable spirit, compassionate and helpful to many. She was jovial and caring, also feisty at times, loved by many both in her family and community, and she will be very much missed.

From her daughters who were always by her side:

“We love you, mima.”

A funeral service for Maria will be held Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury Funeral Directors, 4220 South Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230. A committal service will occur Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W Slauson Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230. A visitation will occur Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 4220 South Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230.

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