Margarita Pena

Margarita Peña passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of March 9,2021. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Miguel Peña. Caring and supportive father to Sylvia Peña, David Peña, and Samuel Peña. Preceded in death by her son Mike Peña. Loving grandfather to Amanda Graves, Michael Peña, Joseph Peña, Frances Peña, David Peña, and Samantha Peña.

Margarita was born in Edcouch, Texas on November 10, 1935. She was the 4th child of Jose and Maria, that would eventually grow to a family of twelve brothers and sisters. Her formative years were spent traveling and working the fields. The work was hard but would build a work ethic and drive that would propel her through the rest of her life. It was while working the fields in California that she met Miguel Peña. Margarita was 23 when she married Miguel and they spent 58 years together until Miguel’s passing. They continued working the fields and going to different areas to find work. Margarita told Miguel that wherever they were working when the oldest children went to school, well that was going to be the place they called home. It happened to be Gilroy, California. They called Gilroy home for 44 years.

She landed a job at Gentry’s in Gilroy in 1961. She worked at this garlic/spice factory for 38 years until her retirement in 1999. When she retired, she was at the top of the list for seniority at Gentry’s. She was a proud member of the Teamsters Union. Upon retirement, Miguel and Margarita relocated to Los Banos, Ca and spent the rest of their years going to different casinos and tending to her immaculate roses in her backyard.

Her oldest son Mike, suffered a stroke in February of 1990. Initially he was hospitalized in San Jose. But eventually he would be transferred to hospitals in Santa Clara, Redwood City, Hayward. Locations that were many miles from Gilroy. Yet, she would work at Gentry’s from 7am-330 then would come home and change, then jump in her car to see her son. Friday’s nights in the fall were tough for her. She would work, drive over an hour to an hour and a half each way to see Mike and then head back to catch the end of the football game and be there to give her youngest son a hug after the game. In the 10 months that Mike was hospitalized, she only missed ONE day of visiting him. She proved over and over again that a mother’s love is precious.

In her younger years she would sell things to make ends meet. She sold Avon and Stanley products to her friends. She loved to crochet. She would make things from simple placemats to big NFL team inspired blankets. Margarita loved to cook. She has shelves devoted to recipe books. Her salsa was incredible and her potato salad was always the first item gone at celebrations.

She leaves behind a sad little Pomeranian dog “Killer”. He followed her everywhere. He would sit and fall asleep for hours on her lap.

A visitation will take place Friday, March 19th from 12:30 - 1:30pm at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park Cypress Mausoleum in Gilroy. Funeral Mass will follow at 2:00pm at St. Mary Catholic Church, Gilroy. Burial at St. Mary Cemetery.