Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Argelia Segura was born in Santa Paula, California, in 1922. She was one of five daughters born to Juanita and Felix Segura. She had four sisters: Esther, Juanita, Caroline and Carmen. Her mother was a housewife, while her father worked at a floral seed company. Within a few years, the family suffered three losses. Her mother and two of her sisters, Esther and Juanita, died when they contracted Tuberculosis. Argelia always remembered looking at her mother lying in bed, but she couldn't go into the room because her mother was quarantined. It was extremely difficult for the family. Left without a mother at a young age, Argelia grew up quickly taking on the role of caretaker to her father and sisters. Since Carmen was a baby when their mother died, she lived with a relative until she was a toddler and then returned home. Argelia learned to cook for the family and care for the home. Her upbringing was very strict as her father was raising three daughters alone. She attended school through 8th grade in Santa Paula, and then she stayed home to work as she took care of the family full-time. When she was a little older, she was hired to work at a store in Santa Paula to help support the family. By 1938, she met a young man named Joe Mendoza. She liked him, but she wasn't allowed to date. Eventually, her sister chaperoned Argelia and Joe when they saw each other.

In 1942, Joe was drafted by the United States Army during World War II. Argelia and Joe kept in touch as their relationship became more serious. The topic of marriage was discussed, but Argelia's father encouraged the couple to wait until Joe was finished with his service. In 1945, when Joe was on leave from the Army, the couple eloped in Ventura. Wanting to spend more time with his love, he stayed an extra week until the military police paid a visit to the house. He returned to the Army on his own, and although he faced KP duty, he finished his service honorably a year later. In 1946, he returned home to Santa Paula to start life with his wife, who he referred to in Spanish as, "My Queen." He always liked it when she wore the color red, as she looked beautiful. She dressed nicely and always did her hair and makeup. Truly, he was proud to call her his wife. The couple had two daughters close in years, Linda and Elizabeth. Joe gave his daughter, Elizabeth, the nickname of Tootsie. In 1951, the family moved to Ventura, California. A few years later, the couple welcomed the birth of their third daughter, Susan. Known as Susie, she was everyone's baby. While Argelia was a wonderful homemaker, Joe worked for the federal government in Port Hueneme for more than 30 years. They made good friends with their neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and shared enjoyable vacations with the couple in Hawaii and Mexico. Argelia especially enjoyed sharing coffee together with Mrs. Jackson on many mornings.

As a mom, Argelia was supportive and involved with her children. She was a PTA mom who also volunteered to serve as room mother. Both the English and Spanish languages were shared in the home, sharing the importance of heritage. With the girls, while Joe was a soft touch, Argelia was a little strict in serving as disciplinarian, but you always knew you were loved. She was a great mom who was also a terrific cook. The family household tone was warm as she was a wonderful partner to Joe. In fact, together they were a strong team reminding the family of Ozzie and Harriet. Argelia kept everything neat and clean, dinner was always ready, and the family ate together in the evenings. Everyone was always welcomed into Argelia's life. As the kids grew up and started lives of their own, holidays were important, especially Christmas, as everything revolved around Argelia and Joe's home. Argelia welcomed Tootsie's husband, Richard, into her life immediately. To Richard, she was "mom" and Joe was "dad." They had a special connection. The same rang true for Susie's husband, John, who was welcomed into Argelia's world with unconditional love. She was truly the best mother-in-law in every sense.

Argelia had many favorites in life. Her favorite foods were traditional Mexican foods, such as rice and beans. She made the best chili recipe and delicious homemade tortillas. She also liked sweets such as strawberry ice cream or Laurie's cakes. Her favorite beverage was Mexican Hot Chocolate Champurrado. She had an amazing talent for growing plants as flowers were always blooming at their home in Ventura. Her favorite flowers were roses and carnations. Her roses were beautiful as she trimmed and cared for them. She also had a huge backyard of cactus, some of which bloomed with red flowers, even in the cold of Ventura. She had many hanging plants in a greenhouse of lattice and screens. Susie's husband, John, had a special relationship with Argelia as he shared the same love of plants. Over the years, she gave him many starter plants that are thriving. She enjoyed Mexican music, such as Mariachi music and songs by Julio Iglesias. She liked her soap operas for many years, such as The Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful; the talk show Phil Donahue; and the TV shows Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Two & a Half Men, and Everybody Loves Raymond. Her favorite restaurant was Warren's Restaurant in Ventura. It was a little diner, where they enjoyed breakfast every Sunday.

To Chris and Laurie, their grandparents were gifts in their lives. For more than a decade, their parents dropped them off every summer to spend June to the end of August with Granny Joe and Grandpa Joe. The girls remember Grandpa Joe would wait by the door, so excited to see them. There wasn't a lot of money, but they gave the girls everything. They went skating, miniature golfing or shopping to Kmart. In fact, Kmart was one of Argelia's favorite places. They'd take the girls to the Kmart cafeteria, where they served the best grilled-cheese sandwiches. Grandpa Joe always said the funniest things and he loved to make the girls laugh. Grandpa liked going to the swap meets, although he'd usually bring home more than he'd sell. He loved talking to people, talking to strangers, and even when he talked to homeless people, he gave them his address. Argelia shook her head and the girls would laugh. When it was coming time to pick up the kids, Joe said, "Let them stay. Their little hearts will hurt if they have to go." Joe described it as the saddest day when the girls had to go back to school. Every time they returned home after a wonderful summer vacation, the girls cried all the way home from Ventura to LaVerne. It really was a second home filled with feelings of security, safety and love. For Christmas school vacations, they also spent time with their grandparents. The extended family is extremely grateful that Tootsie and Richard shared their children so openly with Argelia and Joe. It was an incredible gift. There are so many memories. When Argelia took care of cousin Michelle, both Chris and Laurie played with her. Their grandparents were never judgmental; they just loved you. The door was always open, no matter what. Their eldest great-grandchild, Erica, also enjoyed the fun of visiting the home in Ventura. Erica remembers playing in the big bbq house with Granny Joe and locking her in there and thinking that that was the funniest thing ever. With the birth of Laurie's sons, they were the first boys born in five generations. Even though Joe passed away before the boys were born, Argelia enjoyed special times spent with all of the great-grandchildren.

The family really can't remember Argelia without Joe and vice versa, because they were so close and really they were a unit of togetherness. They remember Argelia taking good care of Joe, while Joe helped with the dishes and ironing. They made a great partnership. There were many funny moments along the way. When the family was going to breakfast one morning, Joe was pulled over by a highway patrolman. Joe explained that his son was highway patrolman, Richard Perez. He received a warning instead of a ticket, as Argelia rolled her eyes and smiled. She was really a backseat driver who helped navigate by pointing her finger left or right for the needed turns. Through their whole lives, there were no negatives, as they never judged people. The couple was happy to move closer to Tootsie and Richard in 1998. After Joe passed away unexpectedly later that year, Argelia reminded everyone that he was safe, at peace in heaven and one day they would be reunited.

On her last birthday, Laurie made her a beautiful cake with flowers and she saved all of the edible flowers made of sugar and water in her freezer. She was proud of Laurie's work and everything she learned in cake decorating classes. The cake was special, because her granddaughter made it. Two months ago, Chris moved in with her and she has so many memories of spending time with Granny Joe. In her final days, family surrounded Argelia. Everyone visited. Laurie told her, "Granny, if it is your time to go, give Grandpa a hug for me." Argelia told her family, "Tell everyone I love them…" As family members visited her in the hospital, she was more concerned about everyone else. Gary sat with her for hours and he held her hand as he told her many stories about the boys. After saying their goodbyes and having a priest give her last rites, the family gave her an unselfish gift: permission to go. The family believes she is at peace and is reunited with her husband again.

The family will miss everything about Argelia. Linda will miss her presence in the house as she watched her soap operas or read the newspapers. Everything is quiet now while Chris is at work and she misses her mother. Tootsie will miss reminiscing and listening to stories about the good old days. Susie misses the phone calls every Thursday. They had such good talks and Argelia looked forward to those calls. Susie describes her mom as her rock because talking to her made her feel better. Chris misses snuggling up with her or sitting with her on the couch, holding her hand. Laurie misses the thought of not having grandparents to turn to, but she knows they'll be with her in her heart because they will always be a part of her and her children. For Richard, Argelia made him feel at home. He met her first when he was only 16-years-old. Over the years, he felt very at ease as they made him feel very comfortable. She was such a good person who loved everyone very much. Richard feels good that he kept his promise to Joe to take care of Argelia and he is thankful for all of his memories. He spent every Wednesday going out to breakfast with Argelia and getting groceries. When he introduced her to using a motorized grocery cart, soon she was traveling up and down the aisles all over the store. When her great-grandson, Aidan, was asked what he remembers about Granny Joe, he said, "She just loved me." Life with Argelia was filled with simple, memorable moments, and you knew you were loved through your relationship.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Juanita and Felix; her husband Joe; three sisters, Esther, Juanita and Caroline; and many friends. Argelia is remembered by her sister Carmen; daughter Linda; daughter Tootsie and her husband Richard; daughter Susan and her husband John; granddaughter Chris; granddaughter Laurie and her husband Gary; great-grandchildren Erica, Aidan and Connor; many loving relatives and friends.

She was known as Argelia to her family; Angela to her husband; Mama to her daughters; and Granny Joe to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With each title in life, she gave warmth and love to every generation. Her actions spoke volumes. She never forgot birthdays or anniversaries over the years. Her purpose in life was being at home because she was happiest there, as her life revolved around family. She was a Christian woman, who prayed every morning and every night and had her rosary by her bedside. She was the epitome of goodness. Having Argelia in their lives was comforting. Her advice would be: treat people with kindness and love your family. Married for five decades, Argelia and Joe were the glue that held the family together. Argelia was truly an incredible lady who led by example. In honoring her wishes, the family will combine Argelia and Joe's ashes, which will be added to an ocean reef that will live on forever. May Argelia Mendoza rest in peace.