Consuelo Villareal Contreras

Consuelo ("Connie") V. Contreras, a lifetime resident of the beach cities, went home to her Heavenly Father on June 2, 2008 at the age of 76. Connie was born to Tomas & Maria Villareal in Hermosa Beach, CA on November 27, 1931. She lived in Redondo Beach, CA for the last 65 years of her life and was an alumna of Redondo Union High School. Connie was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, where she was married in 1951 and subsequently baptized her four children. A career homemaker, Connie took great pride in lovingly caring for her family. She was a wonderful wife and mother. She was also a marvelous cook who made the best homemade tortillas, chile verde, tamales and posole in the South Bay. Sewing, gardening and maintaining a beautiful home were among her hobbies. Connie especially loved music and dancing, and looked forward to hosting and attending parties with family & friends. She was known for her warm-hearted, compassionate nature as well as her sense of humor, and was adored by all who knew her. Although she endured numerous health issues, medical procedures and hospital stays over the last several years, she remained consistently strong and optimistic and was often described as "a tough cookie".

She is preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Eliasar Contreras. She is survived by a sister, Mary Valdespino of Tustin, CA; son Alex Contreras of Redondo Beach, CA; daughters Linda (Robert) Rubio, Terry Contreras, and Connie (Gary) Harper, all of Redondo Beach, CA; grandchildren Marissa Contreras, April (Robert) Olmos, Alicia (Mario) Torres, Aric Rubio, Autumn Rubio, Bianca Tarbuck, Taylor Harper & Isabella Harper; and great-grandchildren Araina, Celeste & Nicholas Torres.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Rice Mortuary Chapel on Sunday, June 8, 2008 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a Vigil Service at 6:00 P.M. A Prayer Service will be held also at Rice Mortuary Chapel on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.