Maria "Tillie" Borrego passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025 with family by her side. She was born in Santa Paula on December 22, 1927 to Serapio and Carmen Luque.  She was blessed with a large and loving family of seven sisters and two brothers. In their early years, the family lived on Edwards Ranch, east of Saticoy. "The Ranch", as it was lovingly referred to, remained home for the extended Luque family through the 1970s.

Tillie attended schools in Santa Paula and Ventura. Early in life, she worked in local citrus packing houses. Later in life, she took courses at Ventura College, studying business, real estate, and ultimately earned her real estate license. Tillie worked at Cal West Realty for 10 years, where she made many friends, of whom she spoke fondly.

Tillie married the love of her life, Robert (Bobbie) Borrego in 1947 and they celebrated nearly 75 years of marriage together.  They lived their early married life on Edwards Ranch until they moved to Santa Paula in 1957 where they raised their four children, Diane, Robert, Marie and Jonathan. They purchased a home on 14th Street that year and lived there for the remainder of their lives.

Tillie lived a long, healthy and active life. She learned to play the guitar, and many Sundays were spent at Steckel Park strumming and singing with friends. She was always physically active and enjoyed years of taking early morning walks around Santa Paula with Bobbie. Tillie loved to dance and tended to take the lead. She was known for her stylish clothing and for rarely going out without wearing a hat.

Tillie was actively involved in her community. She worked side-by-side with her husband on his political campaigns and in his role as a public figure. She was a strong supporter of Cesar Chavez's work on behalf of farmworkers' rights. She participated in voter registration drives and was a Census Taker. She helped to organize the September 16 Fiestas Patrias at Las Piedras Park. The festivals brought the community together for enjoyment of music, food and cultural performances. Tillie volunteered for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the United Way, the Dental Clinic for Children and Christmas basket drives. Tillie also proudly served on the Ventura County Grand Jury during the 1979-80 session.  In 2003, she and Bobbie were named Santa Paula Citizens of the Year in recognition of their years of selfless service to the community.

She was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, serving as a catechism teacher and President of their Religious Study Education. She was a choir member and was a life-long member of the Guadalupanas. Tillie was also on the organizing and fundraising committee which oversaw the major expansion of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Somehow Tillie always found time for cooking. She treated her family to home-made tortillas, delicious baked goods and 60 years of Christmas tamales (never skipping a year!). During her last years she served as "quality control' during the tamale-making.

Tillie loved spending time with her large extended family and with her community of friends. But most of all, she loved to travel. She and her sisters, especially Olga and Marie, spent years traveling around the world exploring European, Asian, South American and African countries. Some of her travels were pilgrimages to places like Medjugore, Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and Betaña. She was 81 years old when she went to China and climbed the Great Wall with her granddaughter, Felicia.

Tillie was preceded in death by husband Robert, and son Robert Jr., parents, Serapio and Carmen Luque, siblings Dora Valdez (Pete) and Eddie Luque. She is survived by three children, Diane, Marie and Jonathan (Karen), six sisters, Virginia (Danny), Maggie (Raul), Alice (Arthur), Eva (David), Marie (Ray), Olga (Bobby), brother Ronnie (Ruth), 11 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the loving care givers who attended to our mother in her final years (Leti, Imelda, Lisa, Noemi) and Mission Home Health. Tillie enjoyed her last months at Navita Residences in Ventura where she bonded with new friends and thrived under the staff's loving care. We would also like to thank Robert Garcia Mortuary for their compassionate services.