Petra Kirby
February 23, 1942 — June 3, 2017
Petra Kirby, age 75, passed away peacefully in her home on June 3rd, 2017 surrounded by the love and tenderness of her family, and for that we are grateful. May she rest in peace.
Petra was met at Heaven's gate by her beloved son, William Pedro Kirby, who preceded her in death.
Petra was the youngest daughter born to Pedro and Germana Duarte in Morenci, Arizona on February, 23rd 1942. At the age of four, her family moved from Northeastern Arizona to Pico Rivera, California.
In 1960 Petra Kirby graduated from El Rancho High School and began studying to become a beautician. She passed the California Cosmetology Board test in 1963 and received her license. Petra was soon hired and she worked for a time at Cinderella's Beauty Salon on 3rd Street in East Los Angeles where should would go on to meet William Kirby. William and Petra went on their first date in May of 1965, where they went to see the movie "Zulu" at the Golden Gate Theatre in ELA. They continued to date and were married on July 17, 1965 at the Hall of Justice in downtown L.A, moving into a little cottage in Bell Gardens after their honeymoon to the High Sierras. 1965 was a busy year for Petra Kirby; she was married to William C. Kirby, gave birth to her first child, William Pedro Kirby, and opened her own beauty salon on Beverly Blvd in Montebello, CA. Petra and William went on to have three more children together before separating in 1971. As her children began school, she became a teacher's aide and would later become a school bus driver for children with special needs. Petra also became caregiver for Lenore Gaines. Petra's greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. Petra is survived by: Partner, Gabriel Vidrio; Daughter, Winifred (Brian) Sanderson of Dyer, Nevada, Daughter, Yvonne (Branden) Cornforth of Dyer, Nevada, Son, William Kirby (Joanne Allum) of Gig Harbor, Washington, Sister, Dolores Sabedra of Pico Rivera, California, Brother, Natividad Duarte of Pico Rivera, California, Sister, Isabel Duarte of Arizona, two great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
“By the grace of God, I am what I am.” — 1 Corinthians 15:10
My mother, Petra Kirby was the strongest woman I’ve ever known. She worked hard every day of her life to provide for her family and beyond. She was unique in that she didn’t see the person, she saw the need, and would do whatever needed to be done to help, from using her last penny to buy you something to eat while she went without to buying clothes and supplies for others when she hadn’t bought herself new clothes in years. She would literally give you the shirt off her back. Petra was unique, she was direct; she filtered neither her words nor her actions, true to herself – always. Good or bad, right or wrong, she never wavered.
“You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.”- Psalm 139:14
My children are good people, in large part, because of my mother. Petra loved them like no one else could. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Looking back, the happiest I have ever seen my mother is when she was caring for her grandchildren. Petra was so proud to be Nana. Nana Petra loved her grandchildren dearly and she would always tell me that they belonged to her. When she would smile with a mischievous gleam in her eye and tease about pinching their chubby baby legs or butts, she was really staking her claim as matriarch and grandmother and relishing the unconditional love and loyalty that only really young children offer.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”— Proverbs 31:25
Thank you Lord for blessing us with such a strong and passionate woman. If I had to choose one word to best describe my mother, it would be steadfast. Resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering – that was Petra. It is trait that has been instilled in all of her children and grandchildren and shows in different ways, making us stronger to face the challenges of life. Thank you mom.
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”— Exodus 14:14
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
Petra was met at Heaven's gate by her beloved son, William Pedro Kirby, who preceded her in death.
Petra was the youngest daughter born to Pedro and Germana Duarte in Morenci, Arizona on February, 23rd 1942. At the age of four, her family moved from Northeastern Arizona to Pico Rivera, California.
In 1960 Petra Kirby graduated from El Rancho High School and began studying to become a beautician. She passed the California Cosmetology Board test in 1963 and received her license. Petra was soon hired and she worked for a time at Cinderella's Beauty Salon on 3rd Street in East Los Angeles where should would go on to meet William Kirby. William and Petra went on their first date in May of 1965, where they went to see the movie "Zulu" at the Golden Gate Theatre in ELA. They continued to date and were married on July 17, 1965 at the Hall of Justice in downtown L.A, moving into a little cottage in Bell Gardens after their honeymoon to the High Sierras. 1965 was a busy year for Petra Kirby; she was married to William C. Kirby, gave birth to her first child, William Pedro Kirby, and opened her own beauty salon on Beverly Blvd in Montebello, CA. Petra and William went on to have three more children together before separating in 1971. As her children began school, she became a teacher's aide and would later become a school bus driver for children with special needs. Petra also became caregiver for Lenore Gaines. Petra's greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. Petra is survived by: Partner, Gabriel Vidrio; Daughter, Winifred (Brian) Sanderson of Dyer, Nevada, Daughter, Yvonne (Branden) Cornforth of Dyer, Nevada, Son, William Kirby (Joanne Allum) of Gig Harbor, Washington, Sister, Dolores Sabedra of Pico Rivera, California, Brother, Natividad Duarte of Pico Rivera, California, Sister, Isabel Duarte of Arizona, two great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
“By the grace of God, I am what I am.” — 1 Corinthians 15:10
My mother, Petra Kirby was the strongest woman I’ve ever known. She worked hard every day of her life to provide for her family and beyond. She was unique in that she didn’t see the person, she saw the need, and would do whatever needed to be done to help, from using her last penny to buy you something to eat while she went without to buying clothes and supplies for others when she hadn’t bought herself new clothes in years. She would literally give you the shirt off her back. Petra was unique, she was direct; she filtered neither her words nor her actions, true to herself – always. Good or bad, right or wrong, she never wavered.
“You are beautiful for you are fearfully and wonderfully made.”- Psalm 139:14
My children are good people, in large part, because of my mother. Petra loved them like no one else could. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Looking back, the happiest I have ever seen my mother is when she was caring for her grandchildren. Petra was so proud to be Nana. Nana Petra loved her grandchildren dearly and she would always tell me that they belonged to her. When she would smile with a mischievous gleam in her eye and tease about pinching their chubby baby legs or butts, she was really staking her claim as matriarch and grandmother and relishing the unconditional love and loyalty that only really young children offer.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”— Proverbs 31:25
Thank you Lord for blessing us with such a strong and passionate woman. If I had to choose one word to best describe my mother, it would be steadfast. Resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering – that was Petra. It is trait that has been instilled in all of her children and grandchildren and shows in different ways, making us stronger to face the challenges of life. Thank you mom.
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”— Exodus 14:14
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
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