Juanita Rangel Godinez

"ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS"

Juanita Francisca Rangel Quijas was my mother‘s full name.  She was born on January 29, 1931 and was  months shy of her 96th birthday.  Juanita was a fierce, devoted, dynamic and inspirational parent.  My mother met my father, Salvador Gutierrez Godinez on her Sister Dolores wedding day. She was named after her paternal grandmother Juanita Alvarez Laurencio.  Her mother Francisca Martinez was born in Kanas City, Missouri and her father Feliz Rangel was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico.   

Juanita Rangel Godinez was born and raised in Los Angeles, California during the great depression and World War II, when a lot of people were unemployed, struggling and starving.  Juanita’s parents went to Tijuana to visit family and picked up baby clothes, liquor and meat to sell to survive. Juanita Rangel Godinez’s father also helped support his parents' family and gave out food to the less fortunate. There were five children born to her parents, Felix Alvarez Rangel, and Francisca Alvarez Martinez.  Juanita was the eldest child. She took the responsibility of being the eldest very seriously. Juanita supported her family because her father fell ill for five years before his passing. Juanita was 26 years old when she got married to my father Salvador Gutierrez Godinez.  Juanita looked out for her mother and made sure her mother had food, clothing and spoke to her daily in spite of working full time and raising five children of her own. They connected daily and she was always concerned for her mother. She was generous and beloved by her grandmother Juanita and extended family that lived in her household. Her mother was very young, and was in charge  of the household. Juanita was loved by her, Nino Uncle Frank who taught her how to speak English properly and instructed her in how to read. Juanita started talking before 

She was a year old. She was a very happy child. 

As a child, my mother was very confident and extremely knowledgeable.  Juanita was showered with attention by  her father, mother and the entire family. She was highly intelligent from a very early age.  Juanita was raised to be disciplined, a strong role model for her siblings and she kept things orderly.  Juanita  was ironing clothes at five years old and she was working part-time putting catalogs together for the Oakley paint Co. 

She got a penny every day to spend on candy and on Sunday , she got a nickel. Her favorite fruit was strawberry and she loved drinking coffee.  My mother’s favorite dishes were Cocido and Picadio,  wonderful traditional Mexican dishes. Juanita was also an avid  reader who was very energetic, very highly intellectual.  Juanita was taught early on to work very hard to attain her goals. She was always beautifully dressed. Her father was  incredibly generous  and was a very dedicated parent who provided well for 

her and family.  The family was very close knit and traveled together  to Tijuana  and San Diego often. Her father and mother were very strict but prepared Juanita to be disciplined and goal driven.   

Juanita  was  not allowed to date until 18.  She attended Lincoln high school for social events, but was able to go to Catholic school.  Sacred  Heart Academy is where she loved education and formed a close bond with Sister Caridad who became her mentor and favorite teacher.  Juanita’s carefree youth ended early to help supplement the family income.  Juanita’s hobbies consisted of  Spanish and Mexican music, loved reading European, Spanish and American magazines. She loved history and had  a  love for knowledge. Her interest in learning new skills helped her acquire a strong work ethic and well paying jobs at Pacific Bell, City of Los Angeles  Library and Water and Power that ensured a  successful career.  Juanita worked with fellow employees to receive better pay for  equal opportunities for women of color to advance the career ladder. She helped launch a community organization to promote working women to receive access to higher wages, healthcare and access to management positions.  Juanita Rangel was married to my father Salvador Gutierrez Godinez for over 56 years. Juanita met Salvador at the Sombero  Ballroom in 1950 and they wed 6 years later at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Lincoln Heights.  My mother was intent on raising a family.  My father’s cousin Jorge Aguilar served as Best Man and her sister Theresa served as maid of honor.   My mother was our guide in life who was selfless and compassionate.  My parents resided in Los Angeles and then Alhambra. They had five children, Margaret, Manuel, Theresa, Lupe , Mary and eight grandchildren Monique Joshua, Sarah, Daniel, David, Robert, Catie and Julian in addition to great grandchildren Joseph, Desi, Amelia, Lily,Sebastian, Esmeralda.  One great great granddaughter named Miley.   

My mother’s dream of traveling to Spain was fulfilled.  It was a dream come true when she traveled to Europe with her daughter Margaret.  My mother loved the history of Spain, it’s people and culture.  My mother’s happiest times were traveling, family gatherings where she visited with her children, grandchildren,  great grandchildren and great great grandkid. 

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