Juana Avalos Albano

Juana was born in Esperanza, Colima, Mexico on June 2nd, 1938. She was the daughter of Victoria Ceballos and Alejandro Avalos. She was the eldest sister to her brother Alejandro and her sister Graciela.

Juana met the love of her life, Anthony Albano, and they married in 1961. They raised their three beloved children (Tony Jr., Elizabeth and Veronica) in Pasadena, CA.

Juana dedicated her career to helping others working as a Home Support Service Worker. She was always so caring, and passionate about helping others who needed assistance.

Juana was blessed with 2 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Nothing made her happier than when she was able to spend time and laugh with all of her great grandchildren. She was notorious for her detailed, elaborate life stories and loved to share her experiences with her family. She was loving, caring, and so grateful for all she had. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends,

Today, we gather to celebrate the remarkable life of a beloved matriarch, a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. We are here to honor the journey of a remarkable woman who embodied strength, resilience, and although some would contest, unwavering love.

I don’t want to step on the Ode to a Common Woman but…

Born in Mexico, she immigrated to the United States in her 20s. Some would think filled with dreams and hopes for a better future… Really, she was stranded in a strange land and no sense of the language. But with courage in her heart and a determination that could move mountains, she faced the challenges of a new land with grace and tenacity. Whether she knew it, or not, she taught us all what it means to forge a path against the odds.

Her home was her sanctuary, filled with warmth, laughter, and the rich flavors of her cooking. It was a place where traditions thrived, where as a family we gathered to eat, drink and somehow get told stories that seemed to get wilder as the years went on. Her devotion to her home never faded. And I know that devotion lives on with her children… The three souls who carry her spirit in everything they do.

A mother is your greatest supporter and fiercest protector. She poured her heart into raising her children, trying to instill in them the values of hard work, and kindness…Who knows if that took. But above all else the importance of family.

Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, providing her with strength and solace. She attended church regularly early in my life, finding joy in community and connection, as I remember being excited to come with her (or maybe just excited to get the donut after mass).

As a grandmother and great grandmother, she was a source of endless joy. Her great grandchildren brought her boundless happiness, and she cherished every moment she got to spend with them and revered the pictures she had of them all. We hope her love will echo through the generations.

In her late 80s, she continued to inspire us with her vitality and spirit. Even as age took its toll, her laughter remained infectious, and her heart, a wellspring of warmth. She showed us all how to embrace life fully, how to find joy in the simple moments, and how to face adversity with unwavering faith.

Today, as we bid farewell, let us not focus on the sorrow of her passing, but on the beauty of her life. Let us honor her memory by embracing our own families tightly, by carrying forward her lessons of love, strength, and faith.

And as they say…Though she may no longer walk among us, she will forever live in our hearts. She is not gone; she is with us in every loving gesture, in every shared meal, in every family gathering. Her spirit will guide us, reminding us of the values she held dear.

Rest in peace, dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Your legacy lives on in all of us, and we are eternally grateful for the time we had with you. Thank you for everything. We love you.

Matthew B. Albano Grandson