Francisca "Panchita" Acevedo

Francisca "Panchita" Acevedo, aged 72, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 12th after a battle with illness over the past year.

Panchita was born in Arroyo Seco de Abajo, in the Municipio de Tepetongo, Zacatecas, Mexico. She spent parts of her childhood in Tijuana, Mexico and San Jose, California before settling with her family in San Diego county. Panchita spent many years as a community organizer, activist, and social worker. A bedrock to her community, she spent much of her adult life working to improve the lives of countless people in North County San Diego, working for Bonsall School, the Escondido Youth Encounter, Palomar Family Counseling, and Vista Townsite Community Partnership.

Panchita was a mentor to many and a friend to all whom she encountered. She was especially proud of her work leading a group of women through a Vista Townsite project called "Cambios Profundos" (Profound Changes), where the group focused on issues related to self-esteem, life challenges and hardships, professional and educational opportunities, and community resources. Among her most cherished roles was serving as a mentor and advisor to United Pride, a bottom-up organization of Mexican American youths who committed themselves to community service and education. Panchita also spent many years teaching classes for The Parent Project, a free course for parents of strong-willed children.

Panchita was also a gifted storyteller, and often shared her personal story of immigration and perseverance at libraries, universities, schools, and other venues throughout Southern California. In addition, she cherished her experiences as an actress both on stage in La Pastorela at the California Center for the Arts and in an independent film entitled "Ofrenda Desnuda" (Bare Offering).

Whether through the arts or activism, personal empowerment and standing up to injustice were common themes that ran through Panchita's life, and in so many ways she embodied her personal motto: "working together for the betterment of all through mutual respect." She leaves behind a profound legacy that will never be forgotten.

Panchita was preceded in death by her parents, Elias and Francisca Acevedo, her brothers Efrain and Cristobal Acevedo, and her sister Florina Acevedo. She is survived by her sons Antonio "Tony" Acevedo and Martin Acevedo-Soto; her sisters Maria Nieves and Ana Acevedo; her brothers Elias, Bobby, Rudy, Hector, Gilberto and Memo; her nieces, Vorie, Jenna, Alina, Maritza, Diana, Andrea, Alison and Celeste; and her nephews, Joseph, Steven, Tommy, Aaron, Anthony and Alexander.

A memorial service to celebrate Panchita's life will be held Thursday (June 20th) at Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary in Fallbrook, CA from 4-8pm, and a funeral service will take place the following day (Friday, June 21st) at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery at 1pm.



Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary: 333 N Vine St, Fallbrook, CA 92028

Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery: 1177 Santa Margarita Dr, Fallbrook, CA 92028