Jessie Hernandez Robles

Our mom was born February 2, 1942 in Zacatecas, Mexico and eventually settled in Castroville, California with her mom, Maria (Welita) and siblings Abigail (Abby), Rachel, and Oscar. In Castroville, she would meet John Robles, whom she would marry on April 5, 1959.

Juan and Chuy, as they would be better known as, would move around a few times. They would have their first child, a son whom they named Andrew (Andy), born in Salinas, CA. and their second son, Henry, born in Oakland, CA. They ended up living in San Jose, CA., where our dad, while driving buses for what was then known as Country Transit. A few years later, they would have their third son, Mark born in San Jose, CA.

Our mom spent many years making our house a casa where she not only made sure her husband and her boys were well cared for, but where everyone would be welcomed and would be offered some good homemade Mexican cooking to eat. Many great family experiences including guitar playing and late night card games were celebrated around our kitchen table.

Our mom enjoyed many things. She loved spending time taking care of her garden where she grew some of the hottest chiles ever. She enjoyed playing bingo, taking trips to Reno and doing puzzles. She also made sure our home was the best decorated house on the block at Christmas time.

Above all else, what guided our mom was her love of God. She was committed to prayer, especially to the blessed mother, La Virgen de Guadalupe. She was a part of the church choir for many years and sang with much love and devotion to God. Without question, our greatest teacher of God's love and mercy, was our mom. Our comfort now is knowing she is reunited with our dad, who took his place in Heaven in 2001 and that she is singing in front of God himself.