Modesta Arreola
August 26, 1929 — January 21, 2020
Modesta Arreola, 90, was born on August 26, 1929 in Nayarit, Mexico to Victoriano Vasquez and Maria Villegas, and entered into eternal rest on January 21, 2020 in Commerce, California.
Modesta was an exemplary personification of her name – calm and classy, always with a clear sense of decorum. In 1929, she was born in a small outlying town of Tepic, Nayarit called Bellavista. Her mother worked long hours in the city’s main industry, a textile plant. Her mother became ill, some believe from the strong chemicals in the plant, and passed away when Modesta was only 6 years old. Modesta and her siblings were abandoned and left to fend for themselves, often roaming the nearby hillsides to pick food from the fruit trees for their only sustenance. The kids were soon separated and ended up in various homes of friends and relatives. Their paths would cross and each time they did, they longed to be together. Modesta would work many jobs to survive, including washing clothes and cleaning houses. She landed a live-in job at a wealthy doctor’s house where she learned a little bit of infirmary care. At the age of 16 she had her first child. Life was hard, yet she worked tirelessly. At the age of 21 she boarded a northbound train with three kids in hand and one in the womb as she resolved to establish a better life for her and her kids.
Modesta ended up in Tijuana at the home of her sister Natividad. Modesta was working in downtown Tijuana one day when a very persistent young man approached her. She told the young man that he was just a kid and to leave her alone. Well, this did not deter Simon Arreola from insisting. Eventually they were married and the happy couple had four kids together over the years. Modesta stayed in Tijuana where she continued to work and care for her eight children while Simon immigrated to America in search of a better life for them all. Modesta and the kids stayed behind for several years while they awaited their immigration papers to be finalized, with Simon returning to Tijuana on the weekends to spend time with his family. In 1968 the family was united in a one bedroom apartment in East Los Angeles. Modesta’s hard work for all those years had paid off, as shortly thereafter the couple purchased their permanent home at the intersection of Montebello and the City of Commerce. Modesta’s children chose diverse paths for their lives, some of the older ones marrying, some returning to Mexico to study at universities, while the younger ones grew up going to school in Montebello. With their parents’ support, they all succeeded in their studies. Modesta was extremely proud to see all of her kids attend college.
During her working years, Modesta specialized in jobs related to the garment industry. She was an expert seamstress and tailor, and her talents in sewing enabled her to make her own clothes and that of her kids. She eventually landed a coveted job at Brooks Brothers, a high end men’s clothing store in downtown LA. At Brooks Brothers, Modesta tailored suits for famous movie stars and dignitaries. She once mentioned that she did not realize Frank Sinatra’s arms were so short until she had to tailor the arms on his custom-made shirts.
Modesta’s favorite pastimes were gardening, traveling, and shopping. Her garden was her pride and joy. She nurtured and tended a lush garden with a wide variety of flowers and magnificent fruit trees. The City of Commerce bestowed upon her an award for the best landscaped garden in the city. Modesta also loved to travel, being able to witness nature’s beauty that would have otherwise only existed as a figment of her imagination or in travel brochures. She took long road trips with her sister Natividad and brother-in-law, Pablo. They would travel in “la panel,” a van outfitted for traveling from Tijuana to various states of Mexico. Some of the states were as far south as Oaxaca, the southernmost part of Mexico. One of Modesta’s other favorite hobbies was shopping; a trait inherited by most of her kids. Her wardrobe was unrivaled by any of her daughters, filling three closets full of fashionable styles.
Upon her retirement, Modesta dedicated the rest of her years to her family and her garden. She lived a long and happy life with her husband, children, and all of those whose lives she touched. She will be dearly missed.
Modesta is survived by her loving family: Children, Hermelinda Morales of Commerce, Ca., Arturo (Sylvia) Arreola of Alta Loma, Ca., Leticia Arreola of Commerce, Ca., Laura (Jeff) Garrett of Whittier, Ca., Guillermina Becerra Vasquez of Commerce, Ca., Maria Castaneda of San Diego, Ca., Antonio Becerra of Mx., Enrique Becerra of Moreno Valley, Ca., Hector Manjarrez of Mx., 25 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Sister, Maria Vasquez of East Los Angeles, Ca.
Modesta was met at the gates of Heaven by her husband, Simon Arreloa, and her siblings, Natividad Manjarrez, Celedonio Vasquez, and Nicha Macias.
Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.
Modesta was an exemplary personification of her name – calm and classy, always with a clear sense of decorum. In 1929, she was born in a small outlying town of Tepic, Nayarit called Bellavista. Her mother worked long hours in the city’s main industry, a textile plant. Her mother became ill, some believe from the strong chemicals in the plant, and passed away when Modesta was only 6 years old. Modesta and her siblings were abandoned and left to fend for themselves, often roaming the nearby hillsides to pick food from the fruit trees for their only sustenance. The kids were soon separated and ended up in various homes of friends and relatives. Their paths would cross and each time they did, they longed to be together. Modesta would work many jobs to survive, including washing clothes and cleaning houses. She landed a live-in job at a wealthy doctor’s house where she learned a little bit of infirmary care. At the age of 16 she had her first child. Life was hard, yet she worked tirelessly. At the age of 21 she boarded a northbound train with three kids in hand and one in the womb as she resolved to establish a better life for her and her kids.
Modesta ended up in Tijuana at the home of her sister Natividad. Modesta was working in downtown Tijuana one day when a very persistent young man approached her. She told the young man that he was just a kid and to leave her alone. Well, this did not deter Simon Arreola from insisting. Eventually they were married and the happy couple had four kids together over the years. Modesta stayed in Tijuana where she continued to work and care for her eight children while Simon immigrated to America in search of a better life for them all. Modesta and the kids stayed behind for several years while they awaited their immigration papers to be finalized, with Simon returning to Tijuana on the weekends to spend time with his family. In 1968 the family was united in a one bedroom apartment in East Los Angeles. Modesta’s hard work for all those years had paid off, as shortly thereafter the couple purchased their permanent home at the intersection of Montebello and the City of Commerce. Modesta’s children chose diverse paths for their lives, some of the older ones marrying, some returning to Mexico to study at universities, while the younger ones grew up going to school in Montebello. With their parents’ support, they all succeeded in their studies. Modesta was extremely proud to see all of her kids attend college.
During her working years, Modesta specialized in jobs related to the garment industry. She was an expert seamstress and tailor, and her talents in sewing enabled her to make her own clothes and that of her kids. She eventually landed a coveted job at Brooks Brothers, a high end men’s clothing store in downtown LA. At Brooks Brothers, Modesta tailored suits for famous movie stars and dignitaries. She once mentioned that she did not realize Frank Sinatra’s arms were so short until she had to tailor the arms on his custom-made shirts.
Modesta’s favorite pastimes were gardening, traveling, and shopping. Her garden was her pride and joy. She nurtured and tended a lush garden with a wide variety of flowers and magnificent fruit trees. The City of Commerce bestowed upon her an award for the best landscaped garden in the city. Modesta also loved to travel, being able to witness nature’s beauty that would have otherwise only existed as a figment of her imagination or in travel brochures. She took long road trips with her sister Natividad and brother-in-law, Pablo. They would travel in “la panel,” a van outfitted for traveling from Tijuana to various states of Mexico. Some of the states were as far south as Oaxaca, the southernmost part of Mexico. One of Modesta’s other favorite hobbies was shopping; a trait inherited by most of her kids. Her wardrobe was unrivaled by any of her daughters, filling three closets full of fashionable styles.
Upon her retirement, Modesta dedicated the rest of her years to her family and her garden. She lived a long and happy life with her husband, children, and all of those whose lives she touched. She will be dearly missed.
Modesta is survived by her loving family: Children, Hermelinda Morales of Commerce, Ca., Arturo (Sylvia) Arreola of Alta Loma, Ca., Leticia Arreola of Commerce, Ca., Laura (Jeff) Garrett of Whittier, Ca., Guillermina Becerra Vasquez of Commerce, Ca., Maria Castaneda of San Diego, Ca., Antonio Becerra of Mx., Enrique Becerra of Moreno Valley, Ca., Hector Manjarrez of Mx., 25 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren, Sister, Maria Vasquez of East Los Angeles, Ca.
Modesta was met at the gates of Heaven by her husband, Simon Arreloa, and her siblings, Natividad Manjarrez, Celedonio Vasquez, and Nicha Macias.
Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.
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