Alberta Mendoza

Alberta Mendoza was born on May 11, 1932, in Mexico, to Ascencion Gonzalez and Norberta Ortiz. She grew up alongside her siblings, Angela Rosa Gonzalez, Guadalupe Montaya, Catalina Gonzalez, Miguel Gonzalez, and Jose Gonzalez. She passed away on July 16, 2026, at the age of 94.

A trailblazer in every sense, Alberta established herself in the restaurant industry during the 1980s, a time when female restaurateurs were rare. She broke barriers with quiet determination and hard work. She was also the backbone of her husband’s startup business, providing his staff with warm meals and a safe haven, and she supported the local Lion’s Club by offering a meeting space and meals after restaurant hours.

Alberta had a gift for creating beauty with her hands. A self-taught, expert seamstress, she sewed dresses for her daughters and costumes for her grandchildren without any formal training. She created free-style clay pieces, painted and fired them in kilns, and took up needlework. She loved collecting antiques, dish sets, miniatures, tea pots, and religious items such as rosaries. Her faith was central to her life; she opened her doors to the community each year to host the annual Posadas during the Christmas holidays.

Alberta was preceded in death by her husband, Victoriano T. Mendoza; her parents, Ascencion Gonzalez and Norberta Ortiz; her sons, Sunshine baby, Juan Manuel Mendoza, and Joe S. Mendoza; her granddaughter, Amanda Whittmore; and her grandson, Frank Whittmore.

She is survived by her brother, Jose Gonzalez, and by her large and loving family: Janie Campanell, Victor Mendoza, Javier Mendoza, Paula Long, Mike Mendoza, Lupe Mendoza, Mary A. Mendoza, Jane M. Rodriguez, and Laura P. Mendoza; along with Billy Romero, David Romero, John Romero, Paul Romero, Amy Campanell, Myrna Madrigal, Eric Madrigal, Yesenia Madrigal, Kindra Valdez, Kevin Valdez, Michael Maniscalo, Jeffrey Cazatt, Joshua Cazzatt, Jamie McMillan, Jeremy McMillan, Jacob McMillan, Johnathon McMillan, Roberto M. Rodriguez, Victoria Rodriguez, Delinah Rodriguez Johnson, Christian Arredondo, Victor A. Mendoza, Michael Mendoza, and Paul Mendoza; as well as many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Alberta’s legacy of resilience, generosity, and artistry lives on in the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.