Antonia A. Vargas

Toni’s mother, Antonia Soto Alvarado (June 13, 1888 – April 1, 1968), was born in Durango, Mexico. She was named after her mother.

Toni’s father, Juan Neponeseno Alvarado (June 24, 1883 – February 16, 1952), was born in Durango, Mexico. He was buried on February 18, 1952 in Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso Texas. (Antonia passed on February 18, 2012 – exactly 60 years after her father’s death).

Before he met his wife, Juan Neponeseno Alvarado, was in the seminary for three years

Her mother, Antonia Soto Alvarado, was a very talented seamstress. She made all her children’s clothes. She used her talent to provide for her family. She also made lovely dresses (and purses of the same material) for her granddaughters.

Story is that in November of 1910, (Durango, Mexico); Juan Alvarado was about to be killed by Pancho Villa’s men, when General de los Angeles saved his life. In an effort to stop the soldiers from killing her husband, Grandma put her arms around Grandpa and wouldn’t let go. The soldiers’ bruised her body as they poked her with their rifles, attempting to loosen her grip. Just in the knick of time, General de los Angeles arrived. He recognized Grandpa as someone who helped his son, and stopped the assassination – but forcing them to leave their home that day. Grandma insisted they take their bed and her sewing machine. They lived in Chihuahua, Mexico for the next 10 years.

In 1920, Toni’s parents came to the U.S. via Juarez, Mexico, and settled in El Paso, Texas. They paid a 10-cent toll when entering the U.S. and just walked across the border.

In the late 1930’s her father directed the plays for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Toni was the ninth of ten children; Eduarda ‘Nellie’, Jose, Jesus ‘Chuy’, Angel, Carlotta, Efren, Maria de los Angeles, Paul and Amelia.

Her little sister, Amelia (born in 1927) died in 1929 at age two. Antonia was four years old at the time.

In 1933, Antonia, her Mother, her sister Maria and brother Paul, moved to California. She was 8 years old. They joined her older brothers (Jesus, Angel and Efren) who were picking grapes in Bakersfield.

While in Bakersfield, her father reunited with the family. They moved to San Jose for a while, and settled in Riverside in 1936.

She attended Irvine Elementary School (on Victoria & Park).

Her big sister, Maria de los Angeles (born 1920) died in 1940 at age nineteen of heart problems. Antonia was fifteen.

She attended University Junior High School (on the corner of University Avenue and Kansas St.). This is now the site of Bobby Bonds Park.

She met her future husband, Tony Garcia Vargas, at age 14. They were next-door neighbors on Bowie Court. (A beautiful persimmon tree stood at the fence that separated the two properties). Because her parents were very strict, the young couple communicated by writing notes to each other – throwing them (fastened to a rock) across the fence.

They married on April 12, 1942. She was 16 years old; he was 21 years old.

Eight months after their wedding, Tony was drafted and sent overseas (Germany and France) to fight in War World II. They didn’t see each other for more and three years.

Antonia prayed novenas to Our Lady of Guadalupe while Tony was in the war. She promised to name her first daughter after Our Lady if Tony returned home safely.

Her Children:

Michael Augustine Vargas – Married to Beth

Alfred Emmanuel Vargas – Jewel Leilani Wilmoth

Lupe Marie DiFusco – Married to John DiFusco

James Louis Vargas – Married to Belen

The Vargas family moved into their brand new home on Lofton Place on May 1, 1955.

Her first job was as the cook and housekeeper at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Rectory. On December 8, 1961, she took a housekeeping job at Knollwood Hospital. She attended night school at RCC and was promoted to Nurses Aide at Knollwood Hospital

She loved working at Knollwood Hospital, especially in the nursery, where she had the opportunity to be present at most of her grandchildren’s births.

Toni’s greatest joys have been her grandchildren. Her 33 grandchildren include 12 Grandchildren, 18 Great Grandchildren, and 3 Great, Great Grandchildren.

Some of her best times were traipsing around Southern California with her grandkids in her little blue VW. She would frequently drive them to Uncle Paul’s in Whittier (he had a swimming pool).

On one of their trips, the VW broke down on the freeway. The kids had to walk down the side of the freeway in their swimsuits! They were so embarrassed. Fortunately, a nice lady saw them from the opposite side of the freeway, turned around, and gave them a ride to a gas station. That lady was an angel.

Her 12 grandchildren include:

Terese Marie Miranda

Lena Carrillo

Alfred Emmanual Vargas II – married to Veronica

Celeste Jacqueline DiFusco

Anthony Jose Vargas – married to Missy

Alicia Ann Vargas – married to Kahlil Vinscon

Andrew James Vargas – married to Adriana

Aleena Maria Vargas

She loved taking her great grandsons John and the Twins, Joseph and Gabriel, to all their soccer practices and games. She wishes her legs were better, so she could see her Brandon play baseball. When he was younger, she used to go every weekend to watch him slaughter his competitors at soccer. She would play basketball with Brandon and soccer with John.

Her 18 Great Grandchildren are:

John Campanaro - born 1/31/83 – married to Shari

Joseph Louis Miranda - born 11/9/86 – married to BenLinda

Gabriel Michael Miranda - born 11/9/86 – engaged to Christina DeHaro

Andrew Carrillo – born 1/11/90

Brandon James Cook - born 8/16/93

Brianna Vargas – born 10/18/97

Xavier Adrian Vargas – born 7/23/98

Anthony John “A.J.” Vargas - born 1/20/99

Alfred Vargas III - born 7/25/00

Isaiah Nicholas Vincson – born 12/18/01

Samantha Mia Vargas – born 4/30/02

Luke O’ryan Vargas – born 3/23/03

Nicole “Nikki” Vargas – born 5/28/03

Nicholas Adrian Vargas – born 5/1/06

Elijah Vargas – born 4/12/10

Her 3 Great, Great Grandchild:

Aylissa Bella Campanaro - born 5/31/02

Aubrey Miranda – born 6/8/08

Eric Ray Campanero – born 11/3/09

Besides Family, her joy was the Rosary and the Mass. She loved it when I’d take to Mass She’d say the rosary at least 3 times a day. She was so grateful to have her Catholic station EWNT, so she could watch the Mass on TV when she was home bound. She was delighted that Mo and Judy, (from St. Francis de Sales Church), would find her each Sunday to give her Holy Communion – no matter what Nursing Home they had to drive to.

She was part of the Adoration team at St. Francis.

She worked the polls at election time for many years..

She loves to play Rumikub.

She loved to travel – she went to Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Mexico, Portland, Texas….

Her favorite cartoon was Tweety Bird - she named her two canaries after him.

Her favorite foods are Chile rellenos, clam chowder (New England style), coconut cookies, flavored coffee creamer, pine nuts, orange juice and sherbet ice cream.

She was a major “Angels” baseball fan.

Of all her prayers, The Lord’s Prayer, means the most to her.

Her favorite saying is “God Provides”

Tonia’s 5 Brothers & 4 Sisters:

Nellie (Eduarda Zavala) born June 20, 1906

Jose 1908

Jesus ‘Chuy” October 17, 1910

Angel July 11, 1913

Carlotta 1916

Efren August 9, 1918

Maria de los Angeles September 29, 1920 – died in 1940 @19 yrs old of heart problems

Paul January 25, 1924 – June 23, 1995

Antonia August 24, 1925

Amelia 1927 – died in 1929 @ 2 yrs old

Family Tree:

Her Father: Juan Neponeseno Alvarado (born June 24, 1883)

Her Paternal Grandfather: Juan Alvarado

Her Paternal Grandmother: Eduarda Alvarado

Her Father’s sister: Bulmara

Her Mother: Antonia Soto (born June 13, 1888)

Her Maternal Grandfather: Jesus Soto

Her Maternal Grandmother: Carlotta Soto

Her Mother’s brothers: Lorenzo and Manuel