Consuelo Valdez

Consuelo (Connie) Saucedo Valdez, 91 passed away in her home of natural causes surrounded by family on Friday December 18, 2009. Consuelo was born February 2, 1918 in Crystal City, Texas to Gumesindo and Antonia Saucedo; she was the youngest of eight children. She married Jesus Valdez in 1940 and they had 6 children. They lived in the Prunedale area since 1957. Alongside her husband and family, she share-cropped strawberries and when her husband died in 1964, she alone took care of the family. She worked hard to guide and support her family through adulthood. When she was not working in the fields, she worked in the vegetable packing industry in Castroville and Salinas. In 1983 when her middle daughter Tina was diagnosed with cancer, she stopped working to be her caregiver. Later Consuelo helped care for her grandchildren. Consuelo was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend to many. Her zest for life and friendships were expressed in her warm and welcoming ways. We will never forget this beautiful person, her sage advice, the wonderful tamales and enchiladas she made, the beautiful hydrangeas she grew in her garden, and the warm and colorful afghans she crocheted for her family. Consuelo is survived by her daughters: Idalia Valdez and Minerva (Alejandro) Rivas of Salinas; sons, Oscar (Bertha Peña) Valdez Prunedale and Jesús (Joanne Carollo) Valdez, Morgan Hill; six grandchildren and five great-grand children and many nieces and nephews. According to her wishes, Consuelo will be cremated and her ashes will be interned at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Prunedale beside her daughter Tina. Service and Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Date and time are pending.