Angelina Gaona

Angelina Petra Bernal Gaona

(April 27, 1928 - March 19, 2025)

Angelina was born in Wasco, California, the daughter of Salvador and Dolores Bernal, sister to Ernestine, Eugene, Conrad, and Anthony.

Mom’s life was lived well beyond the average day of a homemaker. She didn’t stop at attending house, husband, and her children. Within the days of the daily talks, she was always giving, sharing, helping, loving. She shared her love with family, friends, and strangers alike: cooking, potlucks (potato salads and carrot cakes were a favorite), dinners, and holidays. The smell of fresh baked cookies and bread after school, and fresh tortillas for dad’s lunch and dinners. The gardening, the roses, the houseplants and succulents, and the incredible irises, and all the beautiful gardens she planted and tended over the years. In between the day and night there was time to sew clothes, make bedspreads, tablecloths, scarfs, and kitchen towels, so many items, not enough room to list. No matter when, no matter where, no matter what, for every occasion or season, mom had the knowledge and strength to get the job done, treating all with grace, poise, and dignity. She showed us the way to care for one another. She is forever in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

Angelina will be missed by her daughter and son-in-law Alice and John Santmyre, son and daughter-in law Lawrence and Laurette Gaona, daughter Catherine Razo (David Miller), daughter and son-in-law Dorothy and Richard Sommers; granddaughters Stephanie Santmyre wife of Richard Hertwig and Christina Santmyre wife of John Hildebrandt; grandsons JonPatrick Santmyre, and Matthew Gaona and his wife Amanda Gaona; greatgrandchildren Ezabella Gaona, Ezalea Gaona, Jaeger Hertwig, Bear Hertwig, Christina Smith; and countless family and friends. Now at peace, she has joined her husband Anacleto "Ray", sons Victorio and Gregory, parents Salvador and Dolores Bernal and her siblings Ernestine Padilla, Eugene Bernal, Conrad Bernal, and Anthony Bernal.

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. May she rest in peace.