Mary Margaret Vasquez

Mary Margaret Vasquez was born March 12, 1930, in Holbrook, Arizona, to Ray and Mary (Lopez) Marquez. She passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2013, in Whittier, California.



Mary grew up and spent her early years in Arizona. As a teenager she moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, where she graduated from Venice High School.



In 1949, Mary met her first love, Pete Bustamante. They were married on April 30, 1950, in Los Angeles, California. Together they made their home in Norwalk, California, where they raised their seven children. Though their time together was wonderful, it was cut short with Pete's passing in 1980.



A couple of years after Pete's death, Mary fell in love again. She married Gilbert Vasquez, a widower who also had seven children. Mary loved his children as she did her own. Gil and Mary spent several years on the road in their RV. Mary loved to travel and had hoped to visit every state in the union. Once again, time was cut short. Gil passed away in 1990.



From the time she was a child, Mary's dream was to be a mother. Raising children was her true joy! She loved her children dearly and was able to stay at home and raise them. When her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, she found additional joy in being surrounded by them.



Mary enjoyed the piano and crocheting. She especially loved to dance! An extremely energetic person, her family affectionately called her the 'Energizer Bunny.' She was patient and kind and a lover of people. She was a very social person and always saw good in others. Always putting the needs of others first demonstrated how selfless Mary was. She was also a woman of faith and was a devoted Catholic.



Mary is survived by her 'magnificent seven' children, Patrice, Robert, Jim, Melinda, Susan, Nancy, and Peggy; 9 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her seven step-children, Margaret, Richard, Patricia, Michelle, Michael, Maryanne, and John.



A vigil service will be led at 7:45pm on Thursday evening, December 5, 2013, at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, 820 N. Garfield Ave., Montebello, California. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am the following morning, Friday, December 6, 2013, also at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal. Burial will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery, also in Montebello, California.