Petra Zuniga Placencia

1930 - 2017

Petra Zuniga Placencia was born in Guadalajara, Mexico on September 3, 1930. She was the third of 5 children born to Tirzo Zuniga and Emilia Placencia. The untimely death of her parents solidified her sense of independence, prompting her to migrate North in pursuit of survival. At the age of 19, she decided to leave her siblings, Marcelo, Calixtro, Santos, and Silvestre, as she migrated. She outlived all of her siblings, yet they would remain a source of loving memories for the rest of her life. She migrated to the United States at the age of 19, and with the help of friends, she settled in Holtville, where she gave birth to four of her six children: Concepcion, Carolina, Raul, and Raquel. She would later move to Mexicali where she gave birth to two more, Estella and Belia. In 1982, she resettled in Calexico. She raised her children on her own. To feed her family, she worked as a cook at a restaurant in Mexicali and, later, toiled in Imperial Valley and Coachella Valley fields. In the kitchen, she developed the ability to make magic with the simplest of ingredients; to this day, her cooking remains unparalleled by all in her family. In the fields, she proved her endurance, diligence, and strength; not even a broken leg could keep her from going to work and following through with her commitment. This is the inheritance and legacy she leaves her family. Her work ethic, sacrifice, and sense of gratitude leave a powerful imprint on each of those who knew her. In the course of her lifetime, she witnessed and enjoyed the expansion of her family. Petra became a grandmother of 19, great grandmother of 29, and great-great grandmother of 2. She was most happy and joyous when she was surrounded by the raucous laughter of her family. She died on August 7, 2017 at 8:55 p.m. at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. She will forever live in the hearts and memories of those she leaves behind. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carolina. The family would like to extend gratitude and love to all of those who cared for her when she most needed it. We will celebrate her life on Thursday, August 17th at Hems Mortuary in Calexico from 6 to 9 p.m. The ceremony and burial services will take place on Friday, August 18th at 8 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Mt. View Cemetery in Calexico.