Cilia Vallejo Bach

Cilia Vallejo Bach
March 16, 1928-January 19, 2013
Resident of Los Altos
It is with a heavy heart we announce the peaceful passing of Cilia Vallejo Bach at the age of 84, on January 19, 2013. Born March 16, 1928 in Cali, Colombia, South America, the daughter of Vicente and Marian Gray Vallejo.
The Vallejo family called Colombia and Cuba home in the early years. They then settled in Asheville, North Carolina where she attended St. Genevieve of the Pines High School. She earned her degree from Barry University in Florida and moved to Washington, D.C. where she became one of the first woman sales reps for Blue Cross. While in Washington, she met the love of her life, Robert J. Bach. They were married in Asheville in 1955. After a brief time in Florida, they came to settle in Palo Alto, where they raised their 3 children.
In 1970, Cilia started The Bach Company/El Dorado Trading Group, importing and selling native Colombian products. Her success and her husband's connections with electronic sales quickly evolved the company focus to consumer electronics. This company grew to be the family business and is still going strong today in Palo Alto. As recognition of her leadership in business, Cilia received an honorary doctorate degree from her alma mater, Barry University.
Cilia had a love for music, travel, and family. She sang in her parish choir for 25 years and was always at the ready with a song for any occasion. Cilia often found an outlet for her talent on the many cruises that took her all over the world. She shared her love of travel with her friends who became known as "Cilia's Sailors". She fostered many friendships through her loving community at the Parc Regent in Los Altos, St. William's Church Lunch Bunch and a long standing dinner club with her closest friends called the Healthy Gourmet. Her greatest love, though, was her children and grandchildren. Cilia, "Nana", was always at the ready with her "park kit" to take the grandchildren to the park at the drop of a hat. Each year she participated in the Halloween parade at St. Nicholas School, donning her trademark witch costume and characteristic cackle. She bubbled over with pride watching her grandchildren participate in sports and events at St. Francis High School.
Wife of the late Robert J Bach. Beloved mother of Robert, Lawrence (Mary), and Marian (Gary Keeth). Devoted grandmother of Michael Keeth, Megan Keeth, and Matthew Keeth. Preceded in death by her brother Vicente and sister Lucia.
Friends are invited to attend a Vigil Service on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 7:00 PM at St. William Catholic Church located at 611 S. El Monte Avenue, Los Altos. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, February 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM at St. William Catholic Church with interment following at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Cilia's memory can be made to St. Francis High School Memorial Scholarship Fund (1885 Miramonte Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040) which will provide an educational scholarship for a child in need.