Bertha Noemii Peniche

Bertha N. Peniche passed away peacefully on June 13th at her home in San Diego surrounded by her family. She was born to Juan B. Traconis and Maria Ofelia Molina in Merida, Yucatan Mexico. Bertha was married to Antonio Peniche MD for 50 years before his passing in 2001. She graduated from the University of Yucatan in 1946 receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at age 19. She taught classes at the prestigious private Catholic school El Teresiano in Merida for several years before immigrating to the United States arriving at Los Angeles, Ca. in 1954.
Bertha resided in San Diego from 1959 until her passing. She became a U.S. citizen in 1992 and she and her family resided in the communities of Mission Hills, Del Cerro and Mission Village where she was well known at her local Catholic parishes for her teaching of the bible and for mentoring prayer groups. She was a substitute teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in the 1960's while her children were enrolled at the school. Bertha founded the Hispanic Legend of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart in 1982 and who's members exceeded 400 at the recent Festival of the Sacred Heart where she was remembered and honored just one day before her passing. She earned and received several certificate degrees from the University of San Diego in Theology and Ecclesiastics then gave evening classes at many parishes and mentored
hundreds of Hispanics in the San Diego faith community. Bertha was a member of the philanthropic group Las Damas Latinas for many years and was also a lay Carmelite nun. Bertha was an accomplished poet, writing over 300 poems dedicated to her loved ones, she played the guitar, piano, danced ballet, and also sang soprano in several church choirs. Bertha had a remarkable memory and a gift for storytelling. She loved her hometown of Merida and was the family historian keeping alive the lore of her renowned family members. Her family members included governors of the state of Yucatan, military generals, Secretaries of the State, her uncle Julio Molina was honored as a founding member of the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame, and her brother Luis Demetrio who became one of Mexico's most beloved song writer, performer and historian.
Bertha is survived by her 3 children, sons Johnny and Herman (Marcia) and daughter Berta Todor (Jonel), 9 grandchildren Jason (Jamie) Rachel, Justin (Leah), Kari Ann (Justin), Jon, Paul, Tony, Fabian, and Matthew, 5 great grandchildren Hayden, Jaxon, Landon, Preston, and Layla. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who knew her as abuelita, tia or mama. Bertha was predeceased by her parents Juan and Maria Ofelia, her husband Antonio and her siblings Maria Ofelia, Alicia, Luis Demetrio and adopted sister Rita.
Services will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church 3327 Glencolum Dr. San Diego, Ca 92123 on Thursday 6/18/15 at 4:00pm with the reception to follow at the church hall. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Friends of Vista Hill c/o Rachel Peniche or the San Diego Catholic Diocese in memory of Bertha N. Peniche and the Legend of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart.