Araceli P. Cruz

Araceli P. Cruz

May 19, 1934 - May 13, 2024

Concord

Araceli (Cely) Pineda Cruz, 89, of Concord passed away peacefully on Monday, May 13. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Gregorio S. Cruz.

Araceli was born on May 19, 1934 in Manila, Philippines, to Patricia and Jose Pineda, both deceased. To Araceli, family was everything. Araceli had five siblings: Benjamin Pineda (deceased) and wife Adoracion; Fortunato Pineda (deceased) and wife Carmel; Bernardo Pineda and wife Lourdes; Priscilla and husband Leoncio Garcia; and Carmelita and husband Eduardo Parcero. A devoted mother and grandmother, Araceli is survived by six children and eleven grandchildren: Grace and husband Jack Alberti; Alicia and husband Dr. Ben Balatbat and their children, Celynne Anne and Benjamin Anthony; Abigail (Evie) and husband Frank Partridge and their daughters, Sarah Victoria, Sabrina Angelique, and Stephanie Araceli; Anthony Cruz and wife Angelique and their children, Sylara Marie, Amalia Anne, and Anthony Greg; Gregorio P. Cruz III; and Alvin Cruz and wife Sarah and their sons, Ethan Joseph, Aidan Gregorio, and Grant Xavier.

In the Philippines, Araceli graduated from the University of the East with a Bachelor's degree in Education. After immigrating to the United States with her family in 1970, Araceli worked at Aetna in Connecticut and later in California. While at Aetna, she was also a dedicated homemaker working to raise her six children. A staple of her homemaking was her homemade meals. Everyone who tasted her food would agree that she was a wonderful cook and baker.

Throughout her life, Araceli was active physically, which kept her in remarkably good health for most of her life. She loved to learn. One of her areas of interest was nutrition and she could spend hours reading health and nutrition newsletters. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting and took after her mother in her seamstress abilities. In her later years, Araceli became a fan of the Golden State Warriors and enjoyed watching their basketball games on television.

As a Roman Catholic, Araceli was unwavering in her faith. Prayer was important to her and she drew strength from God, Jesus, and the Saints. Throughout her time in Concord, where she relocated with her family in 1989, she and her husband were dedicated members and Eucharistic ministers of the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, as well as founding members of the church's Fil-Am group.

A wake will be held on Wednesday, May 22 from 3PM to 7PM at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. Her funeral services will be held at the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Concord on Thursday, May 23 at 11AM, followed immediately by the burial. Araceli will join her husband Gregorio and will be laid to rest at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery.