Albeit Francisca did not receive a formal education, did not speak English, or knew how to drive, or write properly, she did great things. Daughter of farmers and having immigrated to the USA in 1990 without documents, Francisca was able to accomplish her goal of giving her children a better life. She had to work twice as hard and twice as long, for half the pay, but thanks to non-punitive immigration laws then, and to her hard work and determination, she was able to become a U.S. citizen in July of 2008. Although she suffered a severe stroke in 1993, and she was hospitalized for two months, she recovered fully with no therapy. Francisca was always a fighter and worried about how to feed her kids. She suffered three more strokes decades later, nevertheless, she persisted. Another of her biggest accomplishments in 2020, was to live long enough to cast her vote to help vote Donald Trump out of office.
Her love language was preparing food for anyone who visited her. Her hand-made, perfectly-round gorditas were heavenly, her menudo was unmatched, her champurrado was delicious, and her tamales were the best gift on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She loved to cook.
Before retiring due to health problems, Francisca worked with pride and efficacy at Fiesta Mart in the Bakery Department for almost 20 years. Her fellow coworkers looked to her for guidance and wisdom. Francisca loved being active and even after having a third stroke, found joy in volunteering at Casa Juan Diego during their food distribution efforts. Being active and helpful gave her great delight. Francisca was extremely independent, strong-willed, courageous, and indomitable.
Preceding her departure are her parents, Cipriano and Juana, her daughter Santos Gloria, her husband, Jose O. Torres, and her siblings: Feliciano (Chano) Sarabia Martinez, Isidoro Sarabia Martinez, Daniel Sarabia Martinez, Hilaria (Lupe) Sarabia, Doroteo Sarabia Martinez, and Felix Sarabia Martinez. Felix was the sibling whom she always remembered with upmost love.
Those left on earth to celebrate her life and emulate her level of badassery, are her children: Maria Puente, Maria Leonor Sarabia, Jose Rosario Lopez, Jose Juan Sarabia, Ricardo Lozano Sarabia, and Flor Torres Sarabia Hoill. Also left on earth to follow her role model of perseverance, are her closest grandchildren, J. Hoill & Emiliano Pedroza along with other grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her youngest sister, Eusebia Silva Sarabia, is also left to cherish their memories together.
On behalf of the Sarabia Family, we express our gratitude to her son in-law, Mr. Arturo Vivar, Jr., who made it possible for her to live her last years with us with comfort and with the dignity that she was deserving of. Mr. Vivar treated her like a good son treats a mother, with kindness and respect.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation from eleven o’clock in the morning until one o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 28th of February 2021, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
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