Hilaria E. De Los Santos

Hilaria "Nana Lala" Escobar De Los Santos joined her beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the evening of Sunday, November 16, 2025. Hilaria was 98 years old when she passed peacefully in her home in Soledad.
Hilaria is survived by her children: Clara (Mike) Ortiz & Eli (Patricia) De Los Santos, 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Nicolas De Los Santos, three children - Nicolas De Los Santos, Soling Flores, Angel De Los Santos, one grandson - Rene De Los Santos, and two great- grandchildren - Lorenzo Bailon, Damien Rendon.
Born in Mexico in 1927 to Atanacio Escobar and Maria del los Angels Beltran, Hilaria spent her childhood in "El rancho" - Las Milpas, Sinaloa until her teens, when her family moved to Culiacan and then to Mexicali. It was while there that Hilaria was introduced to Nicolas De Los Santos, a World War II veteran working as a laborer and traveling between the Imperial and Salinas valleys. After a short courtship, the two married and later settled in the small farming town of Soledad, California, where they built a home and raised a family.
Hilaria spent a majority of her life as a homemaker and raised five children. She filled her home with food and love, and she always welcomed everyone that came to visit. There were many throughout the years that considered her house "home."
As her children grew older, Hilaria decided to work in the agricultural industry. She took a job pruning and harvesting the vineyards of Paul Masson winery. In 1975, she took part in a small portion of Cesar Chavez's "1000 Mile March," celebrating the then-newly won rights of farm workers. A highlight of this experience was meeting Cesar Chavez. Hilaria had many passions, but her enjoyment for sewing was lifelong and an expression of her love. An avid seamstress, she used the skills her mother passed on to her to make clothing for herself and her children. She altered every article of clothing she owned in some way to add her own "fashion flare." She designed dresses, shirts and quilts, and she hemmed clothing for her family, friends and neighbors. Even at 98, she was still trying to finish a hand-made dress for her youngest great-granddaughter. Hilaria also loved to sing. In-person, over the phone, by request or just because, she sang to whomever would give her an ear. She enjoyed singing classic hymns or adding melodies to the scriptures she read. In her last days, she sang with her hands towards
Heaven in praise. Above all, Hilaria loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a long standing member of Templo El Buen Samaritano. She served in ladies ministries, hospitality teams, prayer and choirs. Most recently, she enjoyed the community of "La Puerta del Cielo," listening to services online. Her faith ran deep, and she loved reading her Bible.
She prayed daily for her entire family, from those in Mexico to the ones spanning throughout California, Nevada, Colorado and as far north as Oregon. She faithfully prayed for the peace, protection, healing and salvation of everyone she knew.
Although she is no longer with us in body, she will always be in our hearts. Her passion and love for God, family and community will be remembered forever.
A memorial service for our beloved Hilaria will be held at Woodyard Funeral Home in
Soledad on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Burial at Soledad Cemetery. Reception following.