Heriberta (Berta) Rosales Ojeda, died on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at her home in Gilroy, surrounded by her loving family. She was 73.
Berta, as she was most affectionately known, was born on April 20, 1934, in Zacatecas, Mexico, to parents Jesus and Maria Rosales. At age 6, her mother died suddenly, leaving her with one of her greatest losses. This loss, she later made up for by being the most patient, loving and respected mother to her four children, along with many others who considered her their honorary “Mama”. Berta met and married, Alberto Ojeda, in 1951, in their home town of San Isidro del Salto. In 1962, Alberto was able to bring his wife and two daughters to California, and they settled in Gilroy. They were later blessed with the birth of their two sons. Berta’s most treasured thing was seeing her family happy and together. She was most content when she was able to provide her family with a warm meal, a clean and loving place to stay, or just a reassuring word. Berta suffered for more than 40 years with rheumatoid arthritis. Even through all the pain, she rarely complained. Berta prayed daily for each family member and was known to kiss a photo of her late husband, Alberto, each night before she went to sleep. In her last remaining days she was still worrying over her children, urging them to rest and eat well. She was a mother to all who knew her and ALL loved her.
She will be missed dearly by her four children and their spouses, Anita Espinoza & John, Ogarita Carranza of Gilroy, Albert Ojeda & Tilly Owalean-Ojeda of San Jose, Jess Ojeda & Tricia Garcia-Ojeda of Morgan Hill, loving grandmother to Adrian Espinoza & Vanessa, Philip Espinoza & Wendy of San Jose, Joseph Alex Carranza & Julie, Jairo Carranza & Edie of Gilroy, Emiliano and Eliana Ojeda of Morgan Hill, great-grandmother to Isaies and Ameerah Carranza of Gilroy, sister of Jose Rosales, Uvalda Ojeda, Emelia Perez, Aurelio Rosales all of Mexico, Adeliada Ramirez of Stockton, Rosa Carlos of Los Banos, and Roberto Rosales of Gilroy. Berta also leaves behind many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and close family friends whom she loved dearly.
Berta is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Alberto Ojeda, her father, Jesus Rosales and sister, Herlinda Rosales.
Vigil Services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 6:00 P.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007 10:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
