Benilde P. Cienfuegos

Benilde Perez Cienfuegos, 81 entered eternal rest on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Merced, California.

Benilde (Bennie), was born December 10, 1929 in McAllen, Texas. She is the daughter of the late Tomas Perez Sr. and the late Angelita (Guzman) Perez. She is also preceded in death by three brothers, Ignacio Perez, Manuel Perez, and Tomas Perez Jr.

Benilde received an A.A. degree in Child Development from Merced College and was on the Dean’s list. She worked as a teacher’s assistant in the infant toddler center, of the Merced Migrant Center, while lovingly raising her five children. She loved children, enjoyed her rose garden and having yard sales with her family and friends.

Benilde is survived by a daughter, Gloria (Thomas) Trevino of Crescent City, CA; 4 sons, Hector (Emily Hoshell) Cienfuegos Jr. of Merced, Frank (Sandy) Cienfuegos of Merced, Cesar (Triny) Cienfuegos of Merced and Michael (Maria) Cienfuegos of Merced; brother, Gilberto Perez of Hidalgo, TX; 5 sisters, Marcela Martinez of Pharr, TX, Tomasita Munguia of Hidalgo, TX, Angelita Garcia of Hidalgo, TX, Guadalupe Cano of Pharr, TX, and Facunda Plaisance of Hidalgo, TX; ten grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Benilde’s family wishes to extend their gratitude to extended family, friends and all those who offered prayers and condolences.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Merced. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Merced.

Serving as pallbearers will be Hector Cienfuegos Jr., Frank Cienfuegos, Cesar Cienfuegos, Michael Cienfuegos, John Cienfuegos and Tom Trevino. Honorary pallbearers will be Marcus Cienfuegos, Thomas Trevino, Nathaniel Lopez, Maurice Lazare, Jason Torres and Gabriel Torres.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.