“Anything is possible.” That is what Maria Idalia Sarabia Rojo believed about life. She was a creative and independent woman, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. Maria was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions but also served as a mentor to other family members and friends, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and to find their voice
Maria was born on January 11, 1964 in Tijuana, Baja California. Her parents were Felipe Sarabia Nunez & Zenaida Sarabia Rojo. Maria was raised in Los Angeles, Ca.as the eldest of 5 children, essentially helping to raise her younger siblings. This experience shaped her nurturing spirit and a fierce loyalty for those who she loved and who showed her love.
Maria enjoyed school and began volunteering in the school office as early as elementary school. Her work ethic and intelligence caught the attention of the administrative staff and her teachers and she began to thrive in courses such as typing and her favorite class in high school was Accounting. This mix of personal skills and early experience led her to start working in office environments since the age of 18 and led her to a career in administrative roles that ranged from office manager, bilingual clerk, to transcriber. In all these environments, she became the life of the office due to her quick wit, her caring for her co-workers and clients, and her willingness to help others find their way.
This role also developed a talent for finding solutions, especially under difficult circumstances, that had a positive bearing on Maria's family relationships. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Maria was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.
One of her cousins said, ‘I remember living with her when I had my first baby. We were all broke and just starting off. We had no food and I clearly remember her making us eggs with fried tortillas and she said ‘you will always have these 2 ingredients in your fridge.’
She was curious, resourceful. and interested in anything original. Maria took part in crafts. in her spare time she liked making bouquets with both real flowers and artificial ones. This led her to being an entrepreneur, trying her hand at various enterprises. She helped set up a transportation business with her brother years ago. Most recently she worked with him to establish an importation and distribution business for queso del rancho, artisan cheese from Durango, where her family roots began.
She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Maria to be stimulating company. Maria's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. Maria was a best friend to everyone. After her second leg amputation, she temporarily recovered at a skilled nursing facility where she made friends with people of all ages. People around her who were otherwise sad to be away from their families, found her positive attitude and joy for living to inspire them. The staff soon began to refer to her as the unofficial Mayor of the facility.
Maria's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Maria was blessed with one child, one son Mario Dominguez. Someone who was quick to laugh, Maria found it easy to connect with all the kids in the new generation, who loved their Dear Yaya unconditionally. She joked with them constantly, provided a shoulder to cry on, and pushed them to connect with each other and their parents.
She had a strong drive for achievement. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Most recently, she served as a volunteer at a non-profit organization for people with diverse abilities. She liked to stand up for justice and defend the basic dignity and rights of all people. She was proud when she became a U.S. citizen, registered to vote, and began volunteering to elect candidates she believed in. She asked questions, challenged authority, and demanded to be heard.
Maria was always searching for new and unusual activities. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who didn’t know her, but most friends and family understood that Maria simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities. She loved pigs, and amassed a collection of different types of pigs, asking to be buried in an urn shaped like her favorite animal.
Maria passed away on September 22, 2020 at Loma Linda Medical Center. Maria was a warrior she fought till the end. She is survived by her son Mario Dominguez, her sister Jackeline Sarabia and her brothers Felipe and Saul Sarabia.
During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Maria, and she had no patience for judgement or negative opinions from others. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. For Maria, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations.
As another one of her cousins says, ‘She had a YOLO attitude and a level of self-confidence that transcends this life.’ This is why her family and friends have chosen not to say good-bye, but ‘Until We Meet Again, Yaya.’
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