Bettina Flores

1942 - 2022

Bettina Flores
September 11, 1942 - March 31, 2022
Orangevale, California - Bettina Rae Flores was an incredible mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. She was also a best selling author. As the daughter of immigrants, Bettina left home at age 12 to find a better life. She began working as a mother's helper for a family across town, while attending school. She married Alfredo Flores in her early 20's and had four children: Stacey, Alan, Mario and Marisol. Bettina attended Fresno CSU and UCLA. She believed higher education was the path to a better life. In 1990, she completed her best selling book, Chiquita's Cocoon, about the plight Latina women face as they struggle to overcome the oppression of their culture to live better lives. Chiquita's Cocoon was the first book of its kind to be printed in both English and Spanish. She wrote 3 other books and has been published in numerous local and national magazines and newspapers. Her commitment to empowering others was at the core of everything she did. Those who remember her best say, "Bettina taught me how to be a strong person and to believe in myself." Bettina also spent her time volunteering at the local community library to promote literacy and access to education. She received the President's Volunteer Service Award from President Barrack Obama in 2016. A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bettina's honor to the Orangevale Library.