Julia Vasquez

Julia Vasquez June 13, 1935 November 17, 2011 Treasured sister and beloved aunt, Julia D. Vasquez passed into God's arms on Thursday, November 17, 2011. Always a fighter, Julia succumbed to the effects of diabetes after a long struggle. A native San Franciscan and lifelong resident of the Mission District and Bernal Heights, Julia Vasquez loved the City with all her heart. Julia Vasquez is remembered by many as a leader in the San Francisco Young Democrats from the 1950's and 60's, and her political leadership on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and the California Democratic Central Committee in the 1960s and 1970's, where she served as a proud member of the "Burton machine." Throughout this period she became good friends with Willie Brown, Phillip Burton, John Burton, Bob Burton and especially Shirley Cohalan Burton, whom she always referred to as her best friend. Julia retired after 40 plus years with the California State Automobile Association. In her middle years, Julia developed a passion for travel. With her niece Teddy Gray, she saw many far off places, including Spain, North Africa, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and England. Julia loved everything about San Francisco, especially her weekly visits to Union Square, walking her dogs at Precita Park, and dining out at restaurants. She was a devoted daughter to her parents, Mercedes and Augustine Vasquez, both deceased. She was a dear sister to Theadora Gray (Kenneth) and Mariana Schenck (deceased), Basilia Tomlinson (deceased), Mercedes Smith (deceased), Augustine Vasquez (deceased), Manuel Vasquez (deceased) and Felix Vasquez (deceased). She will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews : Paula Schenck, David Schenck (Esther), Beverly Schenck, Fred Schenck (Joanne), Yolanda Pyne (Tom), Fred Tomlinson (Darcy), Marie Tomlinson (Mike), Julia Barnes (Brent), Reese Smith, Mark Smith (Mary), Teddy Gray King (Laurence), Heather Kiuttu (Ralph), Erik Schenck (Brian), Karen and Paul Schenck (Toni), Mariana Schenck, Denise Pyne, Jason Smith, Sarah, Katie and Maura Smith, Erin and Jack Kiuttu, Julia and Ryan Dunker, Jake Barnes and Nicholas, Allison and Daniel King. Friends and family are invited to attend the Rosary on Monday, November 21 at 7P.M. at Valente Marini Perata Mortuary, located at 4840 Mission Street, San Francisco. A Funeral Mass will be held the following day at 11 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Chapel, 3255 Folsom Street. Julia Vasquez was a devoted pet owner for many years. Donations to the San Francisco SPCA can be made in her honor at www.sfspca.org.