Birth date: Jun 29, 1947 Death date: Feb 13, 2026
Cecilia Resendez (June 29, 1947 - Feb. 13. 2026) died peacefully surrounded by family after she succumbed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia discovered a month earlier. She lived an active life with a number of careers, while also focusing Read Obituary
My friend Cecilia was an Angel I met on earth - she helped my family through a sad and difficult time. She was and will always remain a hero to me. A long time ago she met my brother in LA . And she eventually became a surrogate “mom” figure to him . She showed him unconditional love and support as he succumbed to the devastation of his dying illness. She supported my emotions as I learned and met my brother after having been disconnected for many years . She helped to bridge that gap in my brother’s life and mines. I am grateful for her love and the generosity she and the ohana shared with me during that difficult time. I never forget “good” human beings that have touched my life - Cecilia is one of them - now she’s a heavenly angel watching over all of us. Aloha ❤️ Peaches 🍑
Valentines Day 1997, UCSC graduation 2005
Sanctuary Of Love, The Kitchen
By John Lightburn - His Eulogy for the Family read at the Funeral Mass in San Salvador Church on March 6, 2026
Providing sustenance for your family is providing love. Mom didn’t just cook food in the kitchen she provided sustenance of love. My brother Michael said it best, “food is only food unless mom cooked it.” Everyday she provided that love. Every morning and every evening she worked hard in her kitchen, her sanctuary of love. Mom made sure that every day we had a full belly, a belly full of love. As you can see I have had more than my fair share of that love. Our mother always made sure that you never left the house hungry whether you were family or a guest she always provided that love. For those of you who were lucky enough to enjoy one of her delicious meals, you didn’t just eat food, you received a gift of love. This quality of her generosity came from the love of sustenance she received from her grandmother “mama Vira” and from her mother Ramona. This quality of love and generosity was shared between the matriarchs of our family : mama Vira, grandma Mona , aunt Alice, aunt Rosie and my mother Cecilia. They all provided this sustenance of love.
In my mothers autobiography, which she wrote in 1985, she shared a story where she learned a lesson of “sustenance of love” and generosity from her grandmother. She said “ My family has been in the San Bernardino/Colton area for five generations. We are a large close family with my grandmother running the show. My grandmother has always been a strong figure in my life and I took every opportunity I could to be near her, to talk to her, to snuggle with her, and to learn from her. She made a very strong impression on me and on others. My grandmother is one of the kindest, wisest individuals I have ever known. When anyone in the small community of Colton needed help they would seek my grandmother out. They knew that ‘Doña Elvira’ would help them with food, clothing, or money. She would counsel them, and help them get back on their feet. When I was a child, and visiting at my grandmother’s house one afternoon, a young destitute couple with a small child came to her door. They said they had just arrived in the area and they didn’t have any money or food and heard that my grandmother might help them. My grandmother gave them money and food. They promised to return and pay her back for her generosity. I asked her, ‘what if they don’t pay you back grandma?’ She said ‘Mija (my daughter) it doesn’t matter whether they pay me back or not, we must always help those that are less fortunate than us. They will be back, they were a nice young couple who needed a little help, and I had a little extra food and money.’ My grandmother has always had a deep trust and faith in people. Needless to say she has always been a role model for me.” This lesson my mother learned that day is one that helped shape her into becoming one of the kindest, wisest, loving, and giving beautiful people we have ever known. She was a grand master in this art of love and compassion. She was whole in her sanctuary of love.
In her autobiography she stated “My name is Cecilia, I’m a thirty-seven year old Hispanic female. I’m married and the mother of four children (three sons and one daughter). I’m a bright, creative, energetic and likable person. My early experiences in life have had a profound impact on the type of person I am today.”
“ When I think of my life experiences, I think of the lyrics in Joanie Mitchell’s ‘Merry go-round of life song’, ‘round and round up and down we laugh , we cry…’. At times my life journey seems like a very long and hard one, and at other times it seems short and sweet.”
There was much more to our mother than just providing sustenance. Facing adversity as a chicana and a mother of 2 by 19 she strived to accomplish her dreams and goals. She was ambitious and adventurous. As a mother of 4 she achieved an education at the University of Redlands. She had a successful career in politics managing campaigns for Tom Bradley and Jerry Brown among others. She worked with influential people like Cesar Chavez as his personal liaison. She had lead roles in PTA organization and in working for the U.S. Census Bureau. She was an entrepreneur selling antiques at her shop and at the Rose Bowl flea market. She was very artistic and enjoyed painting and writing. She was an amazing woman.
Cecilia is survived by her mother, daughter, four sons, a brother, two sisters, and seven grand children. We all know that having the experience of Cecilia in our lives is what guided us to become who we are today. She will live through us. Aloha mama.
