IRENE SANDOVAL

IRENE MALLOBOX SANDOVAL

Sept. 6, 1940 Jan. 10, 2023

Irene Mallobox Sandoval, 82, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2023, in San Diego, CA, surrounded by family. She was born on September 6, 1940, in El Centro, CA, to Cruz Mejia and Joseph Mallobox.

She met and married Alex Sandoval on December 29, 1957. Together, they raised six children.

Irene enjoyed visiting and cooking for her family and hosted many Sunday morning menudos at her home where the family would gather to eat and visit with each other, sometimes continuing into the night with Alex grilling carne asada and Irene making her delicious potato salad. Her house would be filled with family, and she never denied anyone entrance. She retired from the Imperial County Health Department in 2006 after many years. She enjoyed her retirement by taking care of her grandchildren and watching her favorite TV shows and movies. She had many friends with whom she traveled to nearby cities for lunches and just to hang out. Making sure to get together for each other's birthdays and holidays to do gift exchanges. She enjoyed everyone's company. Irene was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and attended mass every Sunday. She and the same group of friends would gather after and eat breakfast at different places in El Centro, CA. She was part of the El Centro Community Center senior group, where she hung out during the week, ate lunch with the group, and shared her passion for crocheting, and making potholders, blankets, and beanies. If you were lucky enough to receive a handmade gift from her, please cherish it. She recently joined a Pilates group, and she loved it! Her new sense of yoga style in her everyday clothing was so cute to see. She made friends wherever she went. My mom was a beautiful person, inside and out. She is very loved and will be missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Cruz Molina; father, Joseph Mallobox; stepfather, Raymond Molina; brother, Adolfo M. Molina; husband, Alex Sandoval; son, Roy Sandoval; and grandson, Josef Sandoval.

Irene is survived by her children: sons, Jerry Sandoval, Alex Sandoval, Mario Sandoval, and Tony Sandoval (Maria); daughter, Diana Sandoval (Eric); 18 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her siblings, Raymond Molina, Sylvia Sims, Rachel Miranda, Hilda Huerta, and Yvonne Molina.

Please join us in laying her to rest. Funeral services will be held on February 21, 2023, at Our Lady of Guadalupe, with the viewing beginning at 9 a.m. and the rosary at 10 a.m. Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m., with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family asks that you join them in a celebration of life at the Eagles Lodge shortly after.

We will miss you forever. Rest in peace in eternal sleep.