Margarita Peña

Margarita Peña passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of March 9,2021. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Miguel Peña. Caring and supportive mother to Sylvia Peña, David Peña, and Samuel Peña. Preceded in death by her son Michael Peña who she visited daily through months of illness while going to work every day and tending to her other children. Loving grandmother to Frances Peña, Michael Peña, Amanda Graves, Samantha Peña, David Peña, Joseph Peña. Margarita leaves eight great grandchildren.

Margarita was born in Edcouch, Texas on November 10, 1935. She was the 4th child of Jose and Maria, that would eventually grow to a family of twelve brothers and sisters. Her formative years were spent traveling and working the fields. The work was hard but would build a work ethic and drive that would propel her through the rest of her life. It was while working the fields in California that she met Miguel Peña. They spent 58 years together. Margarita told Miguel that wherever they were working when the oldest children went to school, well that was going to be the place they called home. It happened to be Gilroy. And that was home for 44 years.

Margarita worked at Gentry's from 1961 to 1999. She was a proud member of the Teamsters Union. She eventually was promoted to a supervisor and was very proud to have a acquired a "hard hat" position.

Upon retirement, Miguel and Margarita relocated to Los Banos, and spent the rest of their years going to casinos and tending to her immaculate roses in her backyard.

She loved to crochet. She would make things from simple placemats to big NFL team inspired blankets. Margarita loved to cook. She had shelves devoted to recipe books. Her salsa was incredible and her potato salad was always the first item gone at celebrations.

She leaves behind a sad little Pomeranian dog "Killer." He followed her everywhere.

Online condolences at www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch · March 18, 2021