Cecilia Navarro

Cecilia (Estrada) Navarro Navarro, "Celia," 100, Feb. 1, 1924 - Jan. 30, 2025, Sacramento, California. Cecilia went home peacefully to the Lord two days shy of her 101st birthday. She was a beloved wife, cherished mother, grandmother (great-grandmother, as well as great-great-grandmother), sister, aunt, and friend. She was born in Sonora, Arizona, to Lauro Leon and Sara Estrada Navarro, the third of four children, growing up in Sutter Creek, California. A tomboy in her youth, she adored her father and proudly accompanied him everywhere, and as a young adult, attended boxing matches with him at the Memorial Auditorium. Blessed with her father's musical talent, she played the violin and later the piano. In high school, she was a Mexican beauty pageant queen and sports enthusiast, excelling in track and field (including pole vault and long jump), eventually advancing to the state regional championships running track.

Relocating to Sacramento, she met her beloved husband Robert at a dance. They were married for 65 years, from 1949 until he passed in 2014. They had five children (Larry, Rebecca, Robert, Daniel, and Lisa). Devoted to their strong faith, they were founding members and active parishioners of St. Robert's Church and instilled their sincere Catholic values to their children, sending them all to Catholic elementary and high school. Sunday Mass, church events, and prayer were interwoven throughout their lives.

Her first job was in Sutter Hill at the corner dry goods store, and in Sacramento, she worked at Western Union as a teletype operator. When her children were all in school, she pursued a career with the State Department of Motor Vehicles as a registration supervisor, retiring after 20+ years. Following retirement, she worked another two decades as a Spanish interpreter for the Superior Court of California, helping many people.

A strong and fiery woman with a passionate Mexican music "grito" (joyous yell), she loved music, dancing, and parties. Inspired by family and fun, she also enjoyed Sunday outings, camping, adventures, holidays, family gatherings, swimming, ballroom dance, sewing, and travel. Some of her favorite places were San Antonio, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico, and Hong Kong. With a love of gardening and a green thumb, her flowerbeds and home were constantly filled with beautiful flowers of vibrant colors, especially orchids, camellias, roses, and azaleas. Full of ideas, she and Robert found much joy working together on home improvement projects. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who always did her best for her family. She had an uncanny intuition and natural business savvy, unconditionally supporting all of her children and grandchildren to follow their dreams. A champion of the underdog and the disadvantaged, she was smart, sassy, witty, charming, funny, beautiful, fearless, kind, and generous. She was extraordinary and full of life. She will be dearly missed and remain forever in our hearts.

Cecilia is survived by her children Rebecca (Steve) Brown of Rohnert Park; Robert Navarro, Daniel Navarro, and Lisa (Kevin) Quinn of Sacramento. She has 23 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Cecilia was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her son, Larry; her siblings Angelita (and Juventino) Gomez, Larry (and Ronnie) Navarro, Dora (and Kenneth) Guerrero, and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law.

The family would like to thank all of Cecilia's caregivers over the years, for their uncommonly kind and thoughtful care. We are forever grateful.

ROSARY VIGIL, Thurs., Feb. 27, 7 p.m. at St. Robert's Church, 2251 Irvin Way (viewing 6:30 p.m.); FUNERAL MASS, Fri., Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. at St. Robert's Church. Interment and reception to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery & Funeral Center, 6509 Fruitridge Road.