Maria Cristina Sandoval

Maria “Mary” Sandoval, 83, passed away peacefully August 22 in her Santa Paula home surrounded by her family. A pistol of a personality, her no-nonsense, unfiltered character will be truly missed by her family and friends.

Mary was born in Mexico City in 1936 where she was raised both there and in her ancestral home of Pueblo Nuevo, Guanajuato. She arrived in Santa Paula in 1961, where she met her lifelong husband Al Sandoval. She never left and raised her family of five here in Santa Paula. During her time, she selflessly supported her husband and children in achieving their dreams: helping the community, receiving an education, marrying and raising their own children. Without her unwavering love for her family, we would not be where we are today, and for that we will always be grateful.

She was devoted to her faith and enjoyed going to Mass every Sunday, without fail. She was a long-time member of Curves and loved going to do her exercises twice a week. She was always offering to take us out to dinner, especially to her favorite La Cabaña. Simple pleasures like eating sweets over coffee or watching Doctor Who with grandkids gave her joy. And she was always up for a little chisme with her comadres. She loved having her family all together for the holidays, birthdays, or any other occasion. But most of all, she loved being there for her family, whether it be cooking the best rice in town, doing odds and ends to pitch in, or even washing dishes so everyone else could have a good time. She was selfless and just wanted to feel needed in the end.

She is predeceased by her husband Faustino “Al” Sandoval. She is survived by her 5 children - Patricia Meraz and husband David, Elaine Espinoza, Mike Sandoval and partner Maria Balles, Phillip Sandoval and wife Stephanie, and Daniel Sandoval and wife Jenny Crosswhite; 17 grandchildren - David, Dustin (predeceased), Christi and husband Tyler; Anthony, Andrew and Nicolas and wife Tracie; Michael and wife Annie, Alex and partner Toby, Nicole and Alyssa; Phillip Jr, Gabriella Henschel and husband Kyle, Daniella and partner Henry, Roman and Fabiana; and Pilar and Eric Sandoval-Moberg, and 7 great-grandchildren – Amelia, Alexander and Thomas; Anthony Jr and Dominic; Krissy and Nick Jr.; and Catalina.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mary’s two favorite causes: Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception (cricusa.com) and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (chla.org).