Sarah Maria Gomez

Sarah Maria Duarte Gomez was born in Los Angeles, California on November 28, 1927 to Celestino Duarte and Juanita Vasquez Duarte as the fourth of eight children. Sarah grew up in East Los Angeles and attended Jordan High School. In 1946, she married Anthony S. Garcia and had a son, Frank. After the death of Anthony in 1948, she raised Frank alone. In 1950, she married Angelo Gomez. They lived in Compton, California until moving to Whittier in 1952. They had three daughters, Cynthia (Cindi), Elizabeth (Betsy) and Rebecca (Beckie). As she raised her family, Sarah became involved in the local PTA and served as room mother to many of her children's classes. She often assisted in many of her children's school projects and provided a welcoming home to the many friends of her children. She was an avid sewer and crafter and loved to read. Sarah had many friends at the Senior Center and throughout the neighborhood. Sarah was the loving grandmother to twelve grandchildren and a great grandmother to seven, plus many more who called her "Nina". She was the source of strength to many. On November 27, 2014, she passed peacefully in her sleep. Sarah will be missed.