Simitria Mendoza

In Loving Memory of Simitria Mendoza

May 26, 1936 – August 20, 2026

With hearts filled with love, gratitude, and cherished memories, the family of Simitria Mendoza celebrates the beautiful life of a remarkable woman whose presence brought warmth, wisdom, laughter, and love to generations of her family.

Simitria was born on May 26, 1936 in Mexico, and throughout her 90 years of life, she created a legacy that cannot simply be measured by the passing of time. Her life was measured in the meals she lovingly prepared, the music she played, the things she created with her hands, the flowers she watched grow, the laughter she shared, and most importantly, the family she loved so deeply.

She was a woman of many gifts and interests. Simitria loved baking and cooking, and her kitchen was a place where more than food was prepared it was a place where memories were made. A recipe in her hands became an expression of love, and gathering around something she had prepared meant gathering around a piece of her heart.

Music also brought great joy to her life. She enjoyed playing the guitar and piano, filling the atmosphere around her with melody. She had a wonderfully creative spirit and expressed it through drawing and crocheting, patiently turning simple materials into something beautiful.

Simitria found happiness in the simple treasures of life. She enjoyed gardening, watching life bloom beneath her care. She loved going to the beach, where she could enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the water and the world around her.

But perhaps some of the family’s most unforgettable memories will be the spirited debates she enjoyed having with her grandchildren. Simitria was never afraid to share her thoughts, defend her point of view, or keep a lively conversation going. Those debates were part of her personality full of passion, wit, strength, and love. Her grandchildren may not have always won the argument, but they always walked away with a story to tell and another memory of Grandma to treasure.

Simitria’s greatest masterpiece was not something she baked, drew, crocheted, planted, or played on an instrument. Her greatest masterpiece was the family she helped build.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her beloved children: Nohee Estrada and wife, Sabina Estrada; Felix Villanueva; and Pricilia Pina.

Her love and wisdom will continue through her grandchildren: Nancy Garcia and husband, Ben Garcia; Raul Estrada and wife, Tania Estrada; Sandra Nguyen and husband, Thuan Nguyen; Ruby Rocha and husband, Juan Rocha; Jaime Pina and wife, Juana Pina; and Johanna Villanueva.

Her beautiful legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Troy Garcia, Emma Rocha, Elias Rocha, Eliana Rocha, Nathalie Estrada, Ivan Estrada, Evelyn Estrada, Nathan Nguyen, Madelyn Nguyen, Ivette Pina, Jesenia Pina, and Janet Pina.

Although August 20, 2026 marked the closing of Simitria’s earthly journey, it did not mark the ending of her story. Her story continues every time someone prepares a family recipe and remembers her kitchen. It continues when a guitar is strummed or piano keys are played. It continues when someone tends a garden, walks along the beach, creates something beautiful with their hands or when the family finds themselves in another spirited debate and suddenly smiles because it reminds them of Grandma.

Ninety years gave Simitria time to plant seeds in the hearts of generations. Now those seeds have become a family tree filled with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, memories, traditions, laughter, and love.

There will be moments when her absence is deeply felt. There will be an empty place that no one else can completely fill. But those who loved Simitria can find comfort in knowing that a life so beautifully woven into the lives of others can never truly disappear.

She lives on in every lesson remembered, every story retold, every tradition continued, and every generation that carries a little piece of her forward.

Rest peacefully, Simitria Mendoza.

You gave your family ninety years of memories,

a lifetime of love,

and a legacy that will live for generations.

Gone from our sight, but forever present in our hearts.