Maria Socorro Barrientos

María Del Socorro Barrientos (Martínez) was born in Nuevo Repueblo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on March 12, 1941. She and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 13 years old. She had to quit school at a young age to work and help her family. Her family spent some time as migrant field workers in Oklahoma to Texas to California. Working right alongside her father and brother they worked long and strenuous hours to help support the rest of the family. It was in the late 1950’s that her family made Lincoln Heights (Los Angeles), California their home. It was there that she met the love of her life, Francisco Javier Barrientos, who coincidently was also from Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He was working as a mechanic at a repair shop neighboring the home where her family lived. It was unclear who caught whose eye, neither one admitted to it, but thank God they met and were able to date even under the watchful eye of her father. They were married July 15, 1961, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Los Angeles. She was a loving wife who was always by his side supporting him in all his ventures. Blessed with four children, Aurelia, Maria Luisa, Javier and Sylvia (+) she instinctively became a remarkable caring mother.

A great woman who was many things to many people. Known as Socorro or Soco to family. She was also a loving daughter, sister, aunt, godmother and a friend to many. Nana was a name she held dearly for she was also blessed with 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

She volunteered as classroom mom, assisted on chili hot dog day at our grammar school, selling tickets and preparing the food. She was involved in the PTA, in carnival and parent school dance committee fundraisers. Although she was a housewife most of her adult life, she also worked as a sales manager at a retail store. She would always make sure her home and family were taken care of. She kept an immaculately clean home and there was always food ready to come home and eat a good meal. We had dinner as a family almost every night. Socorro was a great cook. She would always want to feed her guests, especially our friends that we would invite home. If you were one of those lucky individuals, I’m sure you still hold that memory very close and dear to your heart.

Socorro loved music and loved dancing. She listened to musica norteña - corridos, rancheras, cumbias, boleros, baladas, etc. She would know the lyrics and sing along to many songs. Even though our dad wasn't the best dancer he would try his best to please her. Every time we hear her music we will think of her.

Rest in eternal peace, you will always be in our thoughts and in our hearts. May you be dancing with dad in heaven.

WE LOVE YOU BOTH