Olivia Vaca a life long resident of Santa Paula, CA left this earth to reunite & spend a sweet eternity of peace with her parents, her siblings, her very best friends Frances & Carolyn on August 8th. She was at home surrounded by her family.

Born on July 18, 1936 to Pedro Vaca & Michaela Mendez Vaca, she was the baby of 9. Her parents immigrated from Tlazazalca, Michoacan long before she was born & ran a store on the east side of S.P. Unfortunately, she lost both her parents by the age of 3 and her as well as siblings were split up to be raised by several family members. But their bloodline was strong and they persevered. Although poor they were rich in love for one another. When her eldest brother Mike was old enough & able, he took in all who were not already on their own & they were reunited. Uncle Mike eventually bought a house on N. Oak Street in Santa Paula where she grew up and lived since the age of 12 yr.'s old. The street was shared with Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and she attend mass there regularly and until her passing was a devout catholic and parish member.

From the stories I'm told mom as a youngster was tomboy but would dress up on occasion. She was stubborn, she was beautiful having a natural tint to her eyelids & lips. She wore no makeup with the exception of eyeliner & the occasional blue eyeshadow. The friends she made were for a lifetime. She loved & lived her life to the fullest on her terms the way she wanted. Nobody was going to tell or mold her otherwise.

She graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1956. Uncle Peter helped her through trade school were she received her nursing assistant certification (CNA). After, she worked at the 'old' St. John's Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) in Oxnard for many years as a CNA. Then became certified as a hemodialysis technician through a program offered at the hospital. Later, joined a hemodialysis center in Ventura, CA. She had a long career and many friendships with coworkers, patients and even some of the Sister's of Mercy who ran the SJRMC in those times. Retiring from Fresenius in 1998 at age 62.

Becoming a mother in her 30's to son Ted, she faced many challenges as a single mom due to the time & discrimination in those times but she always stood her ground at home, in life and even in the workplace. She maintained a strong work ethic, juggling work & home life. She had another child at the age of 45, a daughter Francis and although married at the time she raised both children as a single mother. Our family can attest I (Francis) did not make it easy. My brother says he, "gave her a run for her money as well." Although she never had a mother as an example, being the youngest of 9, she had all her sisters. Life was abundant and mom with her little family of 3 were always included at any Vaca sister family event, holiday, or weekend barbecue. The Vaca Sisters, who already became or were becoming grandmothers at the time were instrumental in helping mom through the journey (or struggle) of motherhood. She kept the faith & never gave up on her kids. We were never hungry or in need. She was loyal, generous and dependable.

Then the grandkids came, who she was so proud of & loved UNCONDITIONALLY. Most of which shared either her interest in sports, her love of reading or her dimples. I'll never forget how excited she was to hop on a plane to NC and meet Corrina for the first time or when Corrina was old enough to visit CA for summer introducing her to ALL the family & taking her to Disneyland. In 2010 when Teo was born in Denver she purchased her first laptop, learned about the internet, Skype and then Facebook (thanks to her niece Mickey) at age 74 because she wanted to do her best in keeping in touch and not miss out on him growing up. For Nadine, Noah & Olivia there was never a day without grandma and they are sure to cherish memories of walks to either Granny's (Aunt Cuca), Aunt Katy's, or Aunt Mary's houses; walks to visit for long hours at the library where they were on a first name basis with the then librarian; or their blessing on the forehead and kisses before they're off to school each morning and at night before bed. She was their biggest supporter/ cheerleader, without the pom poms of course because my mom would never pick up a pom pom. But a baseball, a football or a stick; that I could see.

Some good times were nights spent out in Oxnard with Aunt Mary & Aunt Cuca, dancing the night away together when the trio were able to. She enjoyed her time alone reading a book but also time with family and friends near or far, traveling to visit them. A fan of the LA Dodgers & Rams, she loved a good or bad Dodgers or Rams game. Although her compadre Marty always offered to take her to games, in later years due to both impaired vision/ hearing she preferred  watching/ listening from her own TV with only her "own noise," and not dealing with anyone else's. One of the last great times she had was attending her big brother's 90th birthday party and hearing the mariachi play then later watching him boogie on the dance floor to 'Atomic Dog.'

Despite the sadness we feel from her not being here physically, we all know she will always be with us in our hearts. As she would say, "I love you to the moon & back" & " Goodnight, sweet dreams… sleep with the angels."

She is survived by her brother Peter Vaca, sister in-law Eleanor Vaca (Maco), son Ted Vaca, daughter Francis (Hernandez) Vasquez, Grandsons: Noah Vasquez & Teo Bohem- Vaca, Granddaughters: Corrina Vaca-Morran; Nadine Vasquez; Alynah Ayala- Vasquez & Olivia Vasquez. Many nieces and nephews, including Angelina Garcia (great- granddaughter to Cuca) who was a bonus to the family and who she welcomed with open arms. You may all think you know how much she loved you but she LOVES you even more than that.

She was predeceased by her parents mentioned above, brothers: Miguel (Mike) Vaca, Maclovio (Maco) Vaca & sisters: Ramona (Monchi) Barraza, Abigaile (Gail) Ramos, Catalina. (Katy) Vega, Refugio (Cuca) Vaca, and Maria (Mary) Mata.

Thank you to Livingston Memorial & Caregivers teams. VCMC & Santa Paula Hospital nurses, nurses aid, physicians, phlebotomist, imaging techs you were all flawless in providing such excellent care. Special thanks to Dr. Chen, Brandy, Daniela, and Dr. Dru who were all always personable, followed up and followed through. Very special thank you to Cece, Eva, Victoria, Mickey & Gloria for staying with my mom at various times so we could make graduation day, appointments, and when I returned to work. And everyone else who kept her in their prayers, calls, visits and attempted visits. In the end she wanted you all to remember her smiling & in good times. Thank you & much love to all.