Mrs. Aurora Ayala De La Cruz

Aurora Ayala De La Cruz passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2013, at 92 years of age. She passed in the presence of family members who cared for her day and night during her long illness. Our beautiful and caring mother was born March 28, 1921, in Turlock, California to Tomas and Margarita Ayala.

The Ayala family moved to Fresno where Aurora attended Edison High School. Aurora married Elias De La Cruz on November 4, 1939, and they lived happily together for 68 years. They were loving and devoted parents to their children John Gilbert De La Cruz, Sylvia De La Cruz Gamboa, and Jesse Elias De La Cruz.

Aurora worked at Swift and Zacky Farms for over 30 years. After retirement she devoted her life to taking care of her home, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a strong loyalty to family, and was a role model for all. Life's hard lessons were easier to bear with her by your side. Family will forever cherish being part of her life. She will never be forgotten.

Aurora was preceded in death by her beloved son, John Gilbert and her devoted husband, Elias.

Aurora is survived by her children, Sylvia and her husband Salvador, Jesse Elias and his wife Margarita; sisters, Elvira Martinez, Gloria Esparza, Beatrice Ramirez, and Rachel Alvarado; 15 grandchildren; 34 great- grandchildren; and 26 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, June 27, 2013, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John's Cathedral on Friday, June 28, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.