Santa Maria Ovantes, age 93, passed away peacefully, on December 23, 2022, at home in Marysville, Washington, surrounded by her loving and dedicated family. She was born November 1,1929, in Mexico City to Francisco and Virginia Martinez.
Santa was a homemaker her entire life, as a young girl, she was made to leave her education in order to help raise her younger siblings, while both of her parents worked. This is where her natural born abilities to nurture, care for, and raise children began. Her youngest siblings referred to her as, Mama. She began her loving story, once she met a gentleman named Pascual (Pedro). He became her life partner and they were married for 55 years. Together they raised their family, in Tijuana, Mexico, which consisted of Teresa, whom she called “mi muñeca”, Rodolfo (Rudy), Aurora (Doris), Judith, whom she called “la Bambina”, and Elizabeth (Liz), who passed away, at the tender age of 11.
Once her entire immediate family made the decision to move from San Diego, CA in the Winter of 1979, they settled in Washington State. She continued to put to use her homemaking skills, by helping to raise, her grandchildren, while her grown children worked. Santa had an anointing from God to deliver His message of faith in the face of adversities. She showed compassion, unconditional love and acceptance to all that came in contact with her. Her love was palatable, sweeter than honey. She had amazing grace and a sense of humor that lifted everyone’s spirit, no matter the circumstance. Her faith in God, lasted until her last words. By her bedside, stood her five generations, at her passing. Each generation was touched by her and our Abuelito Pedro’s examples of putting God first in all you do, praise God in the good times and the bad. Nana, we feel your ever-loving, far-reaching love, peace and joy you shared with each one of us. We are blessed beyond measure to have your love cover us, and dwell in our hearts.
Santa is survived by her children, Aurora (Zeke) Pacheco, Tere Ovantes and Judith (Tito) Gonzalez; grandchildren, Michael (Linda) Ovantes, Cinthya (Ramiro) Fuentes, Steve (Corina) Garcia, Nancy Ovantes, Wendy Garcia, Adam (Pati) Pacheco, Benjy (Brenda) Gonzalez, Vanessa (J. J.) Rhobuck, Yvette (Alyssa) Pacheco and David Garcia; great grandchildren, Kaleb (Vanessa), Analiz (Daniel), Marissa, Angelica, Keegan, Isaac, Tabitha, Isaiah, Journey, Bianca, Zekey, Esai, A.J. Shay, Kai; great-great grandchildren, Josiah and Isaiah.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Pedro; youngest daughter, Liz; son Rudy; son-in-law, Juan, who referred to her as “Mama Santa.”
A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00, Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Santa and sign the online guest register.
