MARIA RUVALCABA

1954 - 2015

Maria Ruvalcaba, departed this life on August 10th at Thornton Hospital, La Jolla where she had been treated since October for Adult Acute Leukemia.
Maria was born February 8, 1954 in Brawley, CA. She attended school in Brawley and married Robert Ruvalcaba April 5, 1971. They were married for 44 years and had two children, Juan Gabriel and Araceli. Maria worked as a farm worker for Inter-Harvest, which later became Sun Harvest, and was active in the Cesar Chavez movement. When Maria's children enrolled in Meadows, she rode the bus with them and volunteered her day at the school. A year and a half later, in April 1988, Maria was hired as an Instructional Aide and continued in that capacity until she took ill. Her greatest accomplishment was her grandchildren, and they loved spending time with "Ama". She was so proud of them and loved them "to the moon and back." Before she got sick she enjoyed gardening and camping with her family. She spent her last months watching novelas, crocheting, and cheering for her favorite baseball team, the San Francisco Giants.
Maria's whole family were very supportive to her during her illness. Her daughter, Arcy spent her days lovingly caring for her beloved mother and driving her to La Jolla for her treatments, usually twice a week. Her husband, Humbert was a never-ending support to Arcy and her mother. She will be greatly missed by all her family, friends, staff and students at Meadows.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 17, 2015 at Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley from 6 to 9 p.m. with Rosary being said at 7 p.m. Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at St. Margaret Mary Church at 9 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.
Maria is preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Luz Ruvalcaba and brother, Jose Ismael Romo.
She is survived by her husband, Robert; children, Juan Ruvalcaba and Araceli (Humbert) Gonzalez; sisters, Anna Aguilar, Norma Garcia and Patty Romo; brother, Frank Romo; parents, Evaristo and Francisca Romo; mother-in-law, Martha Nuno all of Brawley; grandchildren, Juan Ruvalcaba Jr., Ashley Ruvalcaba, Yazmine Ruvalcaba, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Ethan Gonzalez, Eleyna Gonzalez and Ivan Ruvalcaba; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorial to American Cancer Society.