Maria Refugio Bernal
August 11, 1922 — March 6, 2024
Maria, who was affectionately known by her nickname, Cuca, was born, on August 11, 1922, in the City of Aguascalientes, in the State of Aguascalientes, Mexico, to Jose De Leon and Ramona Sanchez, in a house built by her grandfather. She had three brothers and one sister. Maria passed away, peacefully, on March 6, 2024, at the age of 101 years and six months, in her own home, in the city of El Monte.
In 1954, Maria was introduced to her future husband, Jesus Bernal, by a cousin who knew the Bernal family, who was living in Clovis, California at the time. On June 26, 1954, they were married, and she became stepmother to Fern, Millie, Rosie, and Carmen, all living in Clovis until 1956. In that year, they moved to El Monte, California when Maria was pregnant with her oldest son. They had four wonderful boys, Arthur, Robert, Luie, and Jess, Jr. Jess Jr. passed away from a traumatic accident in 1991. From the three boys, Maria had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her own family, Maria had four step-daughters, 15 step-grandchildren, and 30 step-great-grandchildren.
In 1951, Maria graduated as a cutting and sewing teacher with a diploma of honor in Aguascalientes. After moving to El Monte, Maria worked as a seamstress for a bridal shop located in El Monte, as well as out of her home. Maria established many clients, designing and making bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses as well as shirts, pants, and suits for her male clients. She did this for approximately 40 years. She loved sewing and making clothes and even made most of her sons’ and other family members' clothing as they were growing up.
She not only was an expert seamstress, but she also crocheted, knitted, cross-stitched, and embroidered. Many of her crafted creations and products can still be found in her home and her children’s homes.
While Maria’s children were in high school, Maria went back to school herself. She learned how to read, write, and speak English, improving her language skills to become quite proficient in the English language until she had a stroke. This resulted in her loss of her ability to speak English at the level of her learned proficiency, but she could still understand someone conversing in English. In 1995, she also became an American citizen which was one of her proudest moments.
Maria was also an amazing cook and eager to entertain friends and family alike. No matter how many people came to visit, she was always eager to prepare incredible dishes, all made with love for everyone to enjoy. You could always taste the love in her meals. Christmas time was a major food production time, as the whole family would gather to make tamales and bunuelos from scratch, then capping that with menudo for New Year's morning. Throughout the year, Maria always made cookies, cakes, pies, and other delicious sides for the family to enjoy. One of her most famous was her flour tortillas which all her children and grandchildren enjoyed. These tortillas were always perfectly round. That must have been the result of the love that went into every meal.
Maria was an incredibly generous and loving person. She was loved and appreciated by family, friends, and neighbors alike, as much as she loved everyone around her. It was a joy to spend time with Maria whether at her home or when she visited her children and grandchildren. Maria was present at all family holidays and special days, and it was such a joy to have her in the midst of the family. She had a joyful and contagious laugh and was always happy and smiling.
Maria also loved gardening. Her pride and joy were her roses. Those roses are still in the front and back yards of her home. She had a green thumb, as she could take a cutting from any plant or flower and make it grow in her garden.
Maria was very spiritual and intuitive. She always asked about everyone’s well-being and prayed for everyone’s health and safety. Her heartfelt prayers were deeply felt by her family and friends.
As the family grew with new daughters-in-law and grandchildren, she was welcoming and loving, as if they were her very own.
Maria made family time special, and we will all miss her dearly. There was no better mother, grandmother, great-great-grandmother, than Maria Bernal. She was a mother to all.
Maria is survived by her loving family: Children, Arthur, Robert, and Luie, Step-daughter, Fern Avila, Grandchildren, Jessica Curbishley (Ian-husband), James Bernal, Sandy Basey (Andrew-husband), April O'Hara (Jarrod-husband), and Aja Lawson (Tyler-husband), Step-Grandchildren, Susan, Tommy, Tony, Henry, Debbie, Dede, Vicky, Gloria, Patti, Art Jr., Marty, Michael, and Mark, Great-Grandchildren, Milo, Nora, Owen, Logan, and Troy, and 30 Step-Great-Grandchildren. Maria will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Maria was reunited at Heaven's Gate with her pre-deceased Husband, Jesus A. Bernal, Parents, Jose and Ramona De Leon, brothers, Carlos and Miguel and Jose Luis, sister, Carmen, Son, Jesus Bernal Jr., Grandson, Joseph Bernal, Step-Grandson, David Avila, Daughter-in-Law, Lori Bernal, Friend (Lori’s mother), Hilda Burgener, and 3 Step-Daughters, Emily Cavasos, Rosie Contreras, and Carmen Avila.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
In 1954, Maria was introduced to her future husband, Jesus Bernal, by a cousin who knew the Bernal family, who was living in Clovis, California at the time. On June 26, 1954, they were married, and she became stepmother to Fern, Millie, Rosie, and Carmen, all living in Clovis until 1956. In that year, they moved to El Monte, California when Maria was pregnant with her oldest son. They had four wonderful boys, Arthur, Robert, Luie, and Jess, Jr. Jess Jr. passed away from a traumatic accident in 1991. From the three boys, Maria had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her own family, Maria had four step-daughters, 15 step-grandchildren, and 30 step-great-grandchildren.
In 1951, Maria graduated as a cutting and sewing teacher with a diploma of honor in Aguascalientes. After moving to El Monte, Maria worked as a seamstress for a bridal shop located in El Monte, as well as out of her home. Maria established many clients, designing and making bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses as well as shirts, pants, and suits for her male clients. She did this for approximately 40 years. She loved sewing and making clothes and even made most of her sons’ and other family members' clothing as they were growing up.
She not only was an expert seamstress, but she also crocheted, knitted, cross-stitched, and embroidered. Many of her crafted creations and products can still be found in her home and her children’s homes.
While Maria’s children were in high school, Maria went back to school herself. She learned how to read, write, and speak English, improving her language skills to become quite proficient in the English language until she had a stroke. This resulted in her loss of her ability to speak English at the level of her learned proficiency, but she could still understand someone conversing in English. In 1995, she also became an American citizen which was one of her proudest moments.
Maria was also an amazing cook and eager to entertain friends and family alike. No matter how many people came to visit, she was always eager to prepare incredible dishes, all made with love for everyone to enjoy. You could always taste the love in her meals. Christmas time was a major food production time, as the whole family would gather to make tamales and bunuelos from scratch, then capping that with menudo for New Year's morning. Throughout the year, Maria always made cookies, cakes, pies, and other delicious sides for the family to enjoy. One of her most famous was her flour tortillas which all her children and grandchildren enjoyed. These tortillas were always perfectly round. That must have been the result of the love that went into every meal.
Maria was an incredibly generous and loving person. She was loved and appreciated by family, friends, and neighbors alike, as much as she loved everyone around her. It was a joy to spend time with Maria whether at her home or when she visited her children and grandchildren. Maria was present at all family holidays and special days, and it was such a joy to have her in the midst of the family. She had a joyful and contagious laugh and was always happy and smiling.
Maria also loved gardening. Her pride and joy were her roses. Those roses are still in the front and back yards of her home. She had a green thumb, as she could take a cutting from any plant or flower and make it grow in her garden.
Maria was very spiritual and intuitive. She always asked about everyone’s well-being and prayed for everyone’s health and safety. Her heartfelt prayers were deeply felt by her family and friends.
As the family grew with new daughters-in-law and grandchildren, she was welcoming and loving, as if they were her very own.
Maria made family time special, and we will all miss her dearly. There was no better mother, grandmother, great-great-grandmother, than Maria Bernal. She was a mother to all.
Maria is survived by her loving family: Children, Arthur, Robert, and Luie, Step-daughter, Fern Avila, Grandchildren, Jessica Curbishley (Ian-husband), James Bernal, Sandy Basey (Andrew-husband), April O'Hara (Jarrod-husband), and Aja Lawson (Tyler-husband), Step-Grandchildren, Susan, Tommy, Tony, Henry, Debbie, Dede, Vicky, Gloria, Patti, Art Jr., Marty, Michael, and Mark, Great-Grandchildren, Milo, Nora, Owen, Logan, and Troy, and 30 Step-Great-Grandchildren. Maria will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
Maria was reunited at Heaven's Gate with her pre-deceased Husband, Jesus A. Bernal, Parents, Jose and Ramona De Leon, brothers, Carlos and Miguel and Jose Luis, sister, Carmen, Son, Jesus Bernal Jr., Grandson, Joseph Bernal, Step-Grandson, David Avila, Daughter-in-Law, Lori Bernal, Friend (Lori’s mother), Hilda Burgener, and 3 Step-Daughters, Emily Cavasos, Rosie Contreras, and Carmen Avila.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
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