Socorro Ponce Covarrubias

1924 - 2016

Socorro Ponce Covarrubias

Oxnard, CA

Socorro Ponce Covarrubias passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 at the age of 91.

She was born on Nov. 11, 1924 in Juchitlan, Jalisco and was one of 10 children of Olegario Ponce and Francisca Zepeda Ponce. On Feb. 25, 1952 she married Jose Manuel Covarrubias and came to the United States where they settled in Oxnard and raised four children that were the pride and joy of her life.

Socorro was an amazing and strong woman who always found strength through her tremendous faith in God and positive outlook on life. There was never an obstacle too great to overcome and she always encouraged her children to have the same determination and poise in their lives. Her friendliness and encouragement was uplifting and reassuring to her husband, children, family and friends. Her humor and laughter were contagious and she cared for everyone ? without ever a thought for herself.

As a young woman, Socorro enjoyed singing with her sisters and continued to sing even until a few days before her passing; we were amazed that she could still remember the lyrics to all her favorite rancheras and romantic Mexican songs. She was a gifted seamstress who made clothes for her daughters as well as creating beautiful wedding and bridesmaids dresses for close family and friends.

It was not unusual to find Socorro repairing things around the house, cleaning rain gutters or sweeping palm fronds from atop the roof of their house! Socorro loved to garden and always enjoyed tending to her flowers and roses. Over her lifetime she also enjoyed spoiling the family pets, which included their dogs Duke, Molly Brown and Sneakers, rabbits Pancho and Cisco, Mexican Red Head Parrots named Chuy and Homer, a rooster, chicken, and many cats, gray pigeons, cockatiels, and parakeets!

Socorro was an excellent cook and for many years would plan a family gathering including her brothers and sisters-in-law to make her special tamales from scratch. She also created a unique recipe for a Torta (Mexican sandwich), that was sold during soccer games for the Nacional Soccer Club managed 15+ years by her husband, Jose Manuel. Soccer players, their families and friends would travel to Oxnard from all over Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties to buy her delicious Tortas.

Once her children were older, Socorro briefly worked as a seamstress and at the Sunkist Oxnard Lemon Company where she made many friends.

Socorro is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jose Manuel Covarrubias, and their children Mabi Covarrubias Plisky (Michael); Jose M. Covarrubias Jr. (Dawn); Nancy Covarrubias Gill (Rick); and Dr. Minerva Covarrubias. She had one grandson, Ricky Gill, who nicknamed her 'Coco.' Adios mamacita linda, te amaremos y recordaremos siempre. Sigue cantando en el cielo.

She is also survived by a sister, Guadalupe Ponce Arreola; three brothers and their wives: Ramon (Carmen), Celso (Lydia) and Jesus (Socorro) Ponce; a sister-in-law, Glafira Garcia Covarrubias; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Those preceding her death include her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law: Maria Ponce Rangel (Leopoldo), Refugio Ponce Covarrubias (Ruben), Sara Ponce Galan (Adolfo); her brothers: Jose Ponce and Rafael Ponce; and brothers-in-law Jesus Arreola and Merced Covarrubias.

The family extends a special thank you to her physician, Dr. Sergio Neira, his nurse Yvonne and office staff; her caregivers Blanca Cordova and Ana Aguilera; and Sister Maritza from the Sisters Servants of Mary.

Recitation of the rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at Santa Clara Catholic Church, 323 South E Street, Oxnard, CA. The mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. also in the Church. Inurnment will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Sisters Servants of Mary, 140 North G Street, Oxnard, CA 93030.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Otto & Son's, Guardian Memorial ? Funeral Directors, Oxnard, (805) 483-1072.