Jovita Garnica Magana

On June 8, 2022 our beloved mother, Jovita Garnica Magana, completed her journey on earth and was received into her heavenly home at the age of 96.

Jovita was born on Jan. 16, 1926 in Fillmore, Calif., one of 14 children, to Gonzalo and Maria Garnica. In her early years, she lived in Santa Barbara until her parents resettled in Monterey County, where she lived for 80 years - first in King City and then in Greenfield. She was married to the late Frank Magana and they shared 47 years together before his passing. She was a field laborer and a dedicated homemaker.

Always a spunky and energetic person, she had a joy for life. Jovita had many passions but she always put her children first. She loved spending time with her extended family and attending all family reunions where she would dance and sing. She inherited her love of gardening from her mother. Our house always had a beautiful flower garden as well as many fruit trees and vegetables growing in the back yard.

She spent many happy hours crocheting and gifted many crocheted blankets to family and friends. She was a devoted San Francisco Giants fan and she watched almost all their televised games. Another favorite past time was watching the Game Show Network, especially Family Feud, America Says, and Deal or No Deal.

She is survived by her children, Barbara (Cecil) Guerrero of Salinas, Rose Corpus of Salinas, Laura (Cecil) Anderson of Leander, Texas, Cynthia (David) Burleson of Statesville, N.C., Will (Elvira) Fraire of Greenfield, Anthony (Judith) Paz of Bakersfield, Steven (Cherry Rose) of Greenfield; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and her late husband's children, Julia Benabides of Salinas, Mary (Sonny) Villarreal of Modesto, Pauline Magana of Orange County, Ysidra (John) Gutierrez of Los Angeles, Hope (Richard) Salas of Phoenix, Frank Jr. (Mary) of Salinas, and Richard (Yolanda) Magana of Salinas. Also surviving are three sisters whom she dearly loved: Hope Partida of Oxnard, Mary Lou (Carol) Martella of Salinas, and Margaret (Lucio) Hernandez of Benbrook, Texas.

A Visitation will start at 9 a.m. with a Rosary service at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at St. John's Catholic Church on 504 N. Third St. in King City.

Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com.

Published in Salinas Valley Tribune · June 14, 2022