Jean Vega

Born: September 5, 1950 in Ventura, CA.

Married: June 27, 1970 to Raymond M. Vega, Jr. (deceased) at St. Anthony’s Church in Oxnard, CA.

Jean Vega, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away surrounded by her children and daughters-in-law.

Jean’s life was rooted in faith and family. A steadfast Catholic, she lived her beliefs not simply through words, but through kindness, generosity, and the way she cared for others. Warm and welcoming, Jean had a gift for making people feel accepted, cared for, and at home.

As a wife and mother, Jean’s family was always at the center of her life. She worked various jobs over the years and did all she could to give her children opportunities, including making sure they were able to attend Catholic school. When her mother became ill, Jean cared for her with characteristic compassion and strength.

Our Mom was small in stature, but mighty in every way that mattered. She was mischievous, spirited, and possessed a slightly questionable sense of humor which, according to those who loved her, was actually one of her better qualities. She was also known to believe that certain lessons in life were best taught through the strategic use of a flying chancla. No one was necessarily safe, but everyone knew they were loved.

Jean found happiness in the simple, beautiful things in life: crafting, quilting, gardening, baking, and the occasional margarita… and then there was her salsa. She made, without question, the best salsa in the world. This is not an opinion open to debate, particularly among her family and friends.

Jean's greatest gift was not something she made with her hands, it was the way she loved. Through her example she taught her children, grandchildren, and everyone fortunate enough to know her the importance of kindness, compassion, faith, love, and caring for one another. She showed them that strength and tenderness can go hand in hand, and that a person could be warmhearted, spirited, and just a little bit dangerous with the right footwear.

Jean leaves behind her beloved sons and their wives, eight grandchildren, and seven sisters, along with countless family members and friends whose lives were made richer by knowing her.

Her family will miss her laughter, her warmth, her cooking, her crafts, her garden, her humor, and the unmistakable way she made those around her feel cared for. Most of all, they will miss simply having her here, and take comfort in believing that somewhere, somehow, Jean is probably still keeping an eye on everyone.

Jean leaves behind a life beautifully lived: grounded in faith, centered on family, strengthened by hard work, and filled with laughter and love. She was small but mighty. She loved fiercely. She lived faithfully. She made the best salsa in the world.

And she never missed with a chancla.

She is survived by her three sons, their spouses, and children; Raymond and Kerry, Kayla, Xavier, Landon, and Ainsley; Vincent and Andrea, Elijah, and Santiago; Gabriel and Amalea, Caleb, and Abigail; her sisters; Alice Duarte of Irving, TX; Maxine Bravo of El Rio, CA; Trini Corona of Oxnard, CA; Adeline Lopez of Oxnard, CA; Pat Camacho of Oxnard, CA; Maria Elena ‘Helen’ Raya of Oxnard, CA; Diane Raya of Oxnard, CA.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Vega, Jr.; Parents, Merced and Helen Raya; Brothers, Henry Madrid, Gilbert Madrid, and Arnold Madrid.

The Vega family would like to thank the generous efforts of family, friends, and neighbors who have supported us through the challenges of caring for our beloved Mother.

Flowers can be sent to the funeral home handling arrangement: Olinger Highland 10201 Grant St. Thornton, CO 80229. Ph: 303-451-6674.