Manuela “Mela” Avila was born on June 15, 1911, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. She entered the presence of our Lord on January 26, 2008.
She was the sister of the late Jesus Avila of Avila’s Market in San Martin,CA. She worked for 25 years as a cook for EI Charro restaurant in San Jose and in 2002, at the age of 91, she became a United States citizen.
Though Mela did not marry or have any children of her own, she was not without a loving and devoted family, including her niece, Mary Lerma, who was her ever faithful friend, confidant, and caregiver. She had her own set of “grandchildren”; Marcos Lerma (Eileen), Rosalie Rubio (John), and Raul Lerma (Michelle), and “great-grandchildren”; Jessica, Joshua, and Jacklyn Rubio, Raul, Laura, and Melissa Lerma, and Steven and Brendan Lerma.
She is survived by a multitude of adoring family members, including her 10 nieces and nephews: Terry, Rose, Margarita, Mike, Mary, Raul, Ralph, Jesse, Carmen, and Lupe. She is also survived by 30 first generation nieces and nephews, 59 second generation nieces and nephews, 19 third generation nieces and nephews and 3 fourth generation nieces and nephews.
Mela lived a long and full life; she touched the lives of every person she met and will be greatly missed. She made the lives of those who loved her wonderful, simply through her existence and by showing unwavering love and strength.
Funeral Mass will be held today 10 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery.
