Mary Zazueta Avalos

Mary Zazueta Avalos, 89 of Hemet, California passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in Pomona, California. Born on October 18, 1926 in Brawley, California, Mary was the daughter of the late Juan and Julia (Garcia) Zazueta. Mary was married in 1944 to the love of her life, Martin Avalos for 39 years before he passed away in October 1983. Mary and Martin lived a full life in El Centro, California until 1969 when they packed up and settled in the San Jacinto Valley. She was an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, including the parish council and the Guadalupe Club. She also enjoyed traveling and her special trip was a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. She sponsored several children in Mexico and Africa over the years. Mary was a collector of elephants during her travels. Mary was actively involved in politics where she volunteered many years at the polling stations during elections. She loved driving around the community and stopped at as many garage sales as possible. Her four wonderful daughters became the center of her attention. Once her daughters grew, her attention focused on her grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren and was always available to step in for rides from school and provide the best homemade snacks. Her family and friends describe her as sweet, loving and dignified. Mary will be missed but not forgotten by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband Martin Avalos, and daughter Julie Gonzales. She is survived by her three daughters - Vera Rieckhoff, Christine Valdez, and Alice Lindley - eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. With Mary's passing the night skies will shine less brightly, save the one twinkling new star that will smile down upon each of us and outshine all the rest. A Rosary service will be held at 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Friday, August 26, 2016, at Miller-Jones Hemet Mortuary, 1501 W Florida Ave , Hemet, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 AM on Friday. Interment will be in San Jacinto Valley Cemetery