Florence Ann Barrera

1942 - 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved sister, Tia, and friend, Florence Ann Barrera on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. She was born December 12, 1942 in Selma, CA. to Chris and Virginia Barrera. She passed peacefully in her home in North Salinas.

Her parents, two sisters, Christine and Magdalen and her brother, Ted soon moved to Soledad, CA. and lived in the Los Coches Adobe home in the 1940s and 1950s (commonly known as the haunted house just south of Soledad, off of Highway 101). Later on in life, the program Ghost Stories, did a documentary on the haunted house. My father Ted, and my Tia Florence were interviewed on that program. The family spent many memorable years in that rural home.

She attended Soledad Elementary School and Gonzalez High School for a year. The family then moved to Salinas where she enrolled at Palma High School and graduated in 1960.

After graduation, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Family on January 5, 1961 at the age of 18. She began her novitiate and received her religious name on July 15, 1961. Thereafter, she was known in the community and in the places she was assigned by the Order as Sister Madalena. Her name day (her Saint's Feast) is July 22, which will be the date of her funeral. Madalena was a name taken in honor of Mary Magdalene, a woman who was healed by Christ and followed him, present at his crucifixion and resurrection, the first messenger to announce the resurrection to others, including the apostles.

She made her first profession (took her vows) on August 7, 1962 and made her final profession on July 2, 1967. She officially returned to her given name, (Florence Ann) on January 1, 1970, and changed her feast day to the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which was also her birthday, December 12. She was dispensed from her vows and returned to her home on May 6, 1971, having devoted 10 years of her life to the welfare and spiritual aid of others.

The Sisters of the Holy Family is a women's religious order of the Catholic Church whose focus is "to seek out and advocate for the poor and needy, especially poor families, for the Kingdom of God," founded in 1872 in San Francisco, CA.

My Tia received a calling from God to come home and become a teacher. She taught at San Vicente School in Soledad for 5 years and Frank Paul Elementary School in Salinas for 30 years in the Alisal Union School District. She loved to be a part of early education and making a difference with changing and improving children's lives.

She attended Gallaudet University School for the deaf in Washington, D.C. where she studied sign language. She lived for a while with the natives in the Guatemalan Jungle.

She loved her family, (her sisters, brother, nephews and nieces and all of her cousins) friends, the holidays, when people would take the time to come visit her and especially when she had the opportunity to break bread with you. She loved all of the phone calls and texts. She loved the two caregivers at the end, Marisol and Isabel, who showed her real love and compassion.

Thank you to all for taking the time. Thank you to Miguel Vargas and his team at Balance Physical Therapy in Salinas, all of you made her feel special and part of your family.

She was a happy, strong and faithful person. She was a member of Madonna Del Sasso Church, a huge advocate for her health and was a big believer in Holistic and alternative medicine. She was a LULAC #2055 member and always loved helping others and always contributed toward the many scholarships we award every year. She loved dancing at the LULAC #2055 Black & White Ball. She loved watching her Warriors basketball games, Caitlan Clark from the WNBA Indiana Fever games, the Raider games. During the games she would always be texting me about the games and asking questions just like my mom does!

Now she is in heaven dancing with a healthy body right along with Grandpa Chris, Grandma Virginia and her brother, my dad, and many beloved cousins who have passed. Love you Tia and until we meet again.

My Tia Florence is survived by her two sisters: Christine Lopez of Woodburn, Oregon and Magdalen Matthews of Tempe, Arizona.
She also leaves behind nephews and nieces: Florence Posadas, Paula Leach, Joey Posadas, Ann Marie Rangel, Michael Matthews (deceased), Ted Barrera Jr., Chris Barrera and numerous cousins.

Viewing is scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025 at 1 pm to 8 pm. Rosary at 6 pm with a video and picture slide presentation at: Healy Mortuary, 405 North Sanborn Rd. in Salinas. Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 10 am at Madonna Del Sasso Church, 320 E. Laurel Dr. in Salinas, followed by a procession to Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way in Prunedale. There will be a reception at Madonna Del Sasso Hall, 320 E. Laurel Dr.