Aurora A Encinas

Aurora came from a family devoted to farming, and the values of hard work, perseverance, and caring for others remained evident throughout her life. At the age of 18, she moved to Los Angeles, where she met John Vasquez. The couple married in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 26, 1947, beginning a life centered on love, faith, and family. Together they raised four children: Victor Vasquez (preceded her in death), Rachel Rodriguez, Eugene Vasquez, and Cecilia Vasquez (who also preceded her in death). John passed away in 1982. In 1994, Aurora found companionship again and married Manny Encinas, continuing to cherish the family and relationships that meant so much to her throughout her life.

Aurora was devoted to being a homemaker, offering the kind of warmth that made family feel welcomed and cared for. In time, she also brought that same diligence and gentle steadiness into her work, moving up the ranks to become store manager of a Sparkles Cleaner—earning respect through reliability, kindness, and quiet strength.

She found joy in dancing and in playing at the casino, and she was always ready to prepare a home-cooked meal for her family. She also enjoyed taking her evening long walks—simple routines that reflected a calm spirit and a life lived with grace.

To those who knew her, Aurora will be remembered as deeply beloved and devoted, gentle in manner, and kind-hearted in the ways that mattered most—especially toward family and friends. She showed those around her what it meant to be strong, particularly in hard times. Her family shares that they will love and miss mom, and they know that she is in heaven with the chancla in her right hand.

The family would like to express gratitude towards Alex at St. Mary’s Hospital and to the staff at Casa Hospice at the Hacienda.