Emily Franco Valdez

Emily Franco Valdez Emily Valdez was born on November 9th 1923 in Socorro New Mexico. She was the wife of her beloved husband, Adalberto Adonais Valdez, better known as Bert. Mother of Laura Williams, Margaret Rodriguez, Irene Gonzalez, Veronica Rosario, Max Valdez and the late and much loved, Frank Valdez. Daughter of Lazara Jaramillo Franco and Manuel Montoya Franco. Siblings; the late Albert Franco, Lupe Perez, Jesse Dorado, John Franco, Josephine Flores, and surviving siblings, Lenny Leite, Linda Rincon, Romi Ortega and Raymond Franco. She and her siblings grew up in Oakley, CA and in Franklin Canyon area in Martinez, CA as children. They were and are a very close nit family. The Franco Reunions entail over a hundred members gathering with food, games story time, music and laughter. Even to this day. Emily was the Matriarch, the oldest and very cherished. Emily was the most family oriented woman alive. She treasured and adored her family above all She became a Mom to everyone who knew her, always taking people in when they needed a home. Emily and her husband, Bert had excellent work ethics. Emily was a nurse, care giver for over 20 years. She was bilingual and very intelligent. It was important for them to take their children on vacations. Lake Tahoe was their favorite vacation spot.. They celebrated birthdays and Holidays to the fullest, making room in their home for all their children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews to celebrate. Emily was an excellent cook, Hot to warm fresh tortillas had the entire neighborhood children standing at the kitchen window waiting in line for a tortilla to come straight off the placa ( hot plate ) with melting butter. She was Very generous. She had an array of dishes she loved to cook; menudo, chicken and mole, lemon meringue pie, to name a few. She collected and wrote her favorite recipes in a journal which became a cook book. She loved and understood each of her children and was always near by for them in case they ever needed her. Her children always lived close by. Emily was very close with all of her grandchildren, great and great great grandchildren. She had 50 total. She was a loving Sister, Aunt and friend. No one alive could top her excellent, down to earth and Sassy sense of humor. Even at 91 she was funny. She wrote poetry, loved ocean trips, gardening, The Andy Griffith Show, playing Scrabble and was a Great Conversationalist. She could tell you stories, and they were her true experiences. She had so many different jobs growing up I couldnt list them, Not enough room. She loves watermelon, salmon, chocolate, Country Western Music, Mexican Mariachis, Pop Music. She loved to sit in in her childrens back yards and just be with nature. She loved to laugh and get your goat and make you laugh. Emily found her Soul Mate in Bert, her husband. They loved going to Lake Tahoe and would gamble. Our Dad, Bert was very romantic and demonstrative, as she called him. She always pretended that his affectionate ways bugged her, but we all knew she loved it, it was their game. She was very attractive, and had a twinkle in her eye, beautiful expressive hands. She was very brave and sensitive. All who crossed her path were blessed and they knew it. Our Beloved Emily, Always in our heart. We love you so much and we are all better people for knowing you because you taught us all kindness and what love really means. Thank you. Funeral Service Friday, January 30, 2015 11:00 am OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL 3111 N. MAIN ST. Walnut Creek CA 94597 Committal Friday, January 30, 2015 12:15 pm Queen of Heaven Cemetery 1965 Reliez Valley Rd. Lafayette CA 94549 Recitation of the Rosary Thursday, January 29, 2015 07:00 pm OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL 3111 N. MAIN ST. Walnut Creek CA 94597