Obituaries

Fernando Cuevas Fernando Cuevas was born on February 8, 1933 in Santa Paula, California, and passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on April 29, 2008 in Fresno, California.Fernando was preceded in death by his mother, Maria G. Cuevas, his father, Pedro G. Cuevas of Santa Paula, brother Edward Cuevas of Oxnard, California, and sisters Lucy Millican of Denver, Colorado and Mary Martinez of Santa Paula.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Josephine Castro Cuevas; daughters Maria Dolores Cuevas of Yakima, Washington, Laura Elena Cuevas of Fresno and Roseanne Cuevas Garcia of Fresno; and son Dr. Ronald Vincent Cuevas of Eugene, Oregon. Fernando has three beautiful, intelligent grandchildren who were his pride and joy. The eldest, Talon Rhae Somera, 19 years old, recently began his military career with the U.S. Coast Guard and is currently stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi. His only granddaughter, Isabella Talia Cuevas, 10 years old, currently lives in Eugene, Oregon and is a talented violinist and athlete. The baby, Pedro Anthony Garcia, aka “the Hulk,” of Fresno will be 3 years old this month. His surviving siblings include Margaret Ritzel of Rancho Mirage, California, Henry Cuevas of Riverside, California, Clara Glenn of El Centro, California, Gilbert Cuevas of Ventura, California, Juventino Cuevas of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Alejandro Cuevas of Concord, California. He loved his numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephews and nieces immensely, always looking to provide them with welcomed (and unsolicited) tidbits of wisdom, gifts and love. It must be mentioned that he left behind wonderful friends and neighbors who were like family to him and him to them. Their love and kindness is immeasurable.Fernando is a graduate of Santa Paula High School in 1951. He continued his education at Ventura College in Ventura, then Pepperdine College in Malibu. In 1953 he married hi high school sweetheart, Josephine, the Lemon Queen of Santa Paula. Fernando served in the Korean Conflict with the Army Medical Service during 1953-1955. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science and then Master’s of Science degree with a specialization in Microbiology at San Diego State University in 1965.Fernando was a microbiology professor at Reedley Community College in Reedley, California for 13 years, and then head of the Department of Math and Science at Oxnard Community College in Oxnard for five years. He had taught as a high school and college professor for over 30 years, ending his illustrious career as assistant superintendent for the El Rio School District in California. Not content to fully retire, he continued to work as an administrator with the State of California Department of Social Security and then later as a professional tax accountant with H and R Block.Fernando was an avid reader of everything on topics of nature, the sciences, the environment, Cultural Studies, to history. He also had a love of classical music and Mexican ballads. His extensive collection of books, music recordings and photography were a testament to his creative and inquisitive mind.Professor Cuevas was also an artist and environmentalist. His palette was a blank landscape in which he would create according to the local environmental specificities and as his creative vision led him.As an environmentalist, Fernando’s passion was nature. A life-long member of the Audubon Society, he taught nature conservancy at the University of Wyoming in 1966, transporting his family to Dubois, Wyoming to live and experience his zeal for life.Josephine and Fernando loved to travel to parts unknown, making friends wherever their journeys took them. Spain, Germany, England, Switzerland, France, Italy and Mexico were a few of the exotic locations they experienced.A loving husband, father, brother and friend, his ability to find humor in everything, even to the end, Fernando leaves behind a huge void and legacy that can never be replaced.A Catholic mass and memorial service was held May 6 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fresno, California.The family requests that remembrances be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or an environmental conservation organization of choice in Fernando’s name.Bertha TerrazasBertha Terrazas, 78, of Santa Paula, passed away Sunday April 13, 2008 in her garden as she rested on the cool earth, as she often did, under her favorite tree. She peacefully and quietly left this earth to join our Lord.Bertha was born in Jerez, Zacatecas on January 18, 1930. At a young age she left her family to marry and start and raise her own family in Santa Paula.She was a retired retail clerk who for over 40 years dedicated herself to volunteer work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, where among other things, she prepared delightful and delicious traditional dishes such as menudo, tamales, tacos, and champorado for the countless parishioners and guests. She loved her work and the people she worked with.Spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends, gardening, cross-stitching, dancing with her grandchildren, and listening to music were her passions in life.Bertha was a lady with a big heart; she was strong willed, independent, and very stubborn. She was a respectable and very private person who always conducted herself with the utmost dignity and pride. She lived and died as she wanted, and will be so very missed by many.Bertha is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Rey and Carmen Terrazas, Jess Terrazas and Norma Medrano, and Fred Terrazas; granddaughters Monique Terrazas, Gina Terrazas, Angelica Terrazas, Mariaelena Terrazas, and Analiese Terrazas; great-granddaughters Marissa Garcia and Reyna Terrazas; grandsons John Terrazas and Michael J. Terrazas; and great-grandsons Joseph Garcia, Alexander Garcia, and Michael Terrazas.A private Mass was held on April 16 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula.A special thank you to Father Charles Lueras, who took care of needs in such a short notice, and to the Guadalupanas and friends, we extend our deepest gratitude. Arrangements are under the directions of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 738 E. Santa Paula St., Santa Paula, 525-3391.MemoriesThey say memories are golden,Well maybe that is true,We never wanted memories,We only wanted you.A million times we’ve needed you,A million times we cried.If love alone could have saved you,You never would have died.In life we loved you dearly,