Julia B. Cuellar

Julia Renteria Cuellar passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Despite 25 years with Parkinson's disease she maintained an active life with work, travel, family and friends. A loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many she will be greatly missed. Julia always had an open heart and house. No one left her sparkling home hungry or thirsty. She had a sense of humor, loved company, and watching novellas. She supported her husband Benjamin and her children and grandchildren in so many ways. She encouraged and supported her children in anyway that she could as they grew and began and completed their own journeys of higher education. She was so proud that they all completed their college degrees. Three obtained graduate degrees. Julia was born on December 20, 1939 in Guadalajarita, Zacatecas, Mexico to Pedro and Juanita Renteria. She came to the United States at the age of nine. Her early years here were spent in a number of migrant farming sites in the, Central California region. Her family settled in Woodlake, California in 1953. Julia dropped out of school at the age of 16 to work in the fields to help her mother support her six other siblings. She met her husband to be, Dr. Benjamin Cuellar, at a wedding dance in Orosi in February, 1962. They were married on June 26, 1965 in Woodlake, California. During the next 15 years they had five children. During the 1970's she returned to school to earn her high school diploma. With determination she kept on her journey of learning and higher education earning her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work at Fresno State. During her career in social work she worked at Rape Counseling Center, Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, and Proteus. She loved her work and helping people and supervising social work students. She left this work for something she loved even more, to care for her grandchildren. Julia was preceded in death by her sister Concepcion Castillo and grandson, Jason A. Cuellar. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dr. Benjamin Cuellar; Son and daughter-in-law Trinidad and Georgina "Gina" Cuellar. Son and daughter-in-law Benjamin II and Kiyoko. Son and daughter-in-law Christopher and Karen and their son Justin and daughter Jasmine. Son Daniel and Estela Blanco and their daughter Caleesi. Daughter and son-in-law Concepcion "Connie" Cuellar and Alfredo Garcia and their sons Dominic and Leonardo. She is survived by her brothers Trinidad, Armando, and Pedro Jr. Renteria, and sisters, Carmen Hidalgo and Irene Brieno. She is also survived by numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The family would like to thank a number of individuals who provided support and care to Julia including; Eleanor Maneses, Jessica Samonte, Cynnamon Dycus, Tommy Socias, Josie Rangel Garcia, Hortencia Gonzalez, Olga Beltran, Maria Garcia, Alice Cuellar, Father Jim Torrance, Dr. William B. Holmes, Dr. B Teilielbaum, Dr. R Rao, Dr. F Kruger, Dr. V Walton, and Dr. A Algazi, and Dr. K. Yung of U.C.S.F.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 2838 N. West Ave., Fresno, CA 93705 on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.