Graciela Jimenez Perez

On April 29, 2024, Graciela Jimenez Perez peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her family. She was 89.

She was born on July 18, 1934, in Santiago Tlatelolco, Jalisco, to her parents, Juan and Tiburcia Perez.

Graciela, aka as “Chela” to her family and friends was a wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, aunt, godmother, friend to many of her coworkers who she worked at Watsonville Canning Co for over 25 years before retiring.  She was a member of the Teamster union while working in the frozen food industry in Watsonville.  Who proudly represented her union during the labor strikes during the 1980’s.

 She immigrated to Santa Cruz County in 1957, loved the beautiful Central Coast, and lived here in Watsonville until her passing.

 She was a storyteller of her family history, recipes, traditions and could remember vivid details / moments of her lifetime.  She was never shy of giving her opinion or advice when asked, or in some cases not asked. 

 She enjoyed spending time with her family and visiting her extended family / friends.  She loved to see the flowers bloom in her garden.  She enjoyed seeing the birds that visited her garden, Thru the living room she enjoyed seeing the Canadian ducks and other birds that migrated past the house.  She also leaves behind her beloved pet cockatoo “Chicken”.

 She was a devoted catholic, attended mass weekly at Assumption Church in Pajaro, and when she could not attend in person, she would love to see mass online from the Padre Arturo Cornejo. 

 One of her favorite sayings was one that her Grandma Julia told her that her great aunt had fought alongside the Catholic Church in the Cristero War in Mexico (1926 -1929) – would say:
 “Hasta Morir o Vencer, Y Viva Cristo Rey.”

 She is survived by her husband, Joel Jimenez Sr, her children, David (Norma), Juanita (Raymundo) and Joel II (Elisa), her siblings, Gregorio, Ruperto, Alejandrina and Catalina, and her 3 grandchildren, Luis, Ariana and Mireya. She was preceded in death by her 3 siblings, Santos, Francisco and Manuel.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel. Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Assumption Church with the burial to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.