JOSEPHINE GOMEZ FABELA

Josephine, was born on April 8, 1935, in San Bernardino, Ca. and passed away on Monday, February 4, 2013, in Madera, Ca . Josephine worked hard all her life. After obtaining her Associate of Arts Degree from Fresno City College, she went into the field of social work. Her life was dedicated to helping those less fortunate than herself. When families were in crisis, she assisted them obtaining food, shelter, medical support, and working through the court systems. She focused on writing grants that provided families with parenting classes and taught them how to advocate on behalf of their children and their rights as parents. Josephine also worked on numerous projects such as supporting political campaigns, voter registration, and in 1980, she volunteered in the amnesty program for migrant workers and assisted them in becoming legalized Americans. She was a co-founder of the Migrant Head Start Program. Lastly, she was well known for cooking food for huge events and receptions. Everyone loved her food! It is an art she passed on to her children. Her life was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith. She was a member of the Guadalupana Society and Crustistas. Her last trip was to the Vatican in Italy in the year 2000. It was a fulfillment of a life dream to see Pope John Paul II. As a mother, Josephine instilled in her children the importance of family, faith in God, being of service to our community through our work, and serving those in need. We are deeply grateful for her love, her sacrifices, and all she did for us. We would like to thank the staff at Madera Community Hospital for the excellent care given to our mother. She is survived by her husband, John De La O Fabela; and her seven children, Hope Rivera, John Fabela, Jr., Faith Medina, Consuelo Chavez, Stevan Fabela, Andrew Fabela, and Martha Fabela-Robles. She has 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Esequiel and Lucia Gomez; and a brother named after her father. Both her father and brother died before her third birthday. Her late uncle, Rafael Quiroz, she loved as a father figure growing up. Her Viewing will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 2441 Dockery Ave. in Selma, on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at 4:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Selma on Monday, February 11, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Fresno. Thomas-Robinson Funeral Home, 2345 North McCall Avenue, Selma, California (559)896-2261