Angelina D. Leon

Angelina Del Rio Leon, 91, peacefully entered eternal rest on Thursday August 22, 2019 after a brief illness. Angelina joins her late husband Roberto Leon 4 ½ months later. Angelina was born In Patzcuaro Michoacán Mexico on August 28, 1927 to Guillermo and Gertrudes Vasquez Carranza. She is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Antonio, Alfonso and infant sister. Angelina was raised by her loving Godfather Rafael “Mino” Vasquez and his spouse Susana, both of whom she precedes in death. While working at a local restaurant, in Tijuana Mexico there she met, her would be future husband Roberto Leon

Roberto married Angelina Del Rio in 1945 in Tijuana Baja California. Roberto and Angelina shortly thereafter moved and settled in Fresno CA

Angelina worked at various fields, she would pick seasonal vegetables and fruit along with her children. Angelina would stress to her then small children to work hard and to complete their education, so they would not work in the hot summer sun picking grapes to earn a living. Angelina was also a homemaker extraordinaire, she loved to cook and invite anyone who took her invitation. Angelina would invite her parish priest, the Avon lady to her local community police man for a nice cooked homemade meal.

Angelina had a knack for friendship that put her in the center of an enormous network of relatives and friends. Angelina put out a bright light and was so easy to love. Angelina connected to people on the deepest level. She met our broken world with all its troubles with kindness and compassion understanding, empathy, humor but most of all with courage. Angelina had a brilliant beam of love and laughter it was so easy to connect with Angelina. Angelina’s passing leaves in our family a wound too large to ever heal.

Angelina along with her husband Roberto were active member at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church for over 40 years. In her later years, Angelina and Roberto, would take their children and grandchildren, to St Alphonsus and maintain the garden, cutting grass, trimming hedges and trees, not realizing Angelina was demonstrating again hard work ethic and giving back to her community and God to her own grandchildren.

Angelina leaves behind her 6 Children; Daughters Dolores (Lola) Rodriguez and spouse Jose, Alicia (Alice) Freitas and spouse Norbert. Sons, Roberto Jr (Bobby) Leon and spouse Sarah, Jose Luis (Louie) Leon and spouse Sandra, William (Billy) Leon and spouse Michele. And daughter Theresa (Teri) Gonzales and spouse Tony.

Angelina leaves behind her 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Angelina also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

Psalm 34:18….The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit”

Funeral services are as follows: Visitation Thursday August 29, 2019 at 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair Funeral Home 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno CA 93704.

Rosary from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial August 30, 2019 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church 351 E. Kearney Blvd. Burial immediately following Mass at Fresno Memorial Gardens Cemetery 175 S. Cornelia Ave., Fresno CA 93706. The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to her daughter in law Sarah Leon for being her primary caretaker in her final months as well as Hinds Hospice for their kindness and compassion to Angelina in her final months.

Arrangements are being handled by Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair Funeral Home, Fresno Ca.