Agueda Bobeda

Born Agueda Bobeda, on March 22, 1925, Ida was the 5th of nine children born to Maria and Antonio Bobeda, immigrants from Spain.

Ida's career was one of a dedicated businesswoman who developed a very strong work ethic. Ida began work, as a child, with her family following the various crops in central California. She attended Linscott Elementary School during the off season and worked diligently to catch up on her studies every year, even during high school. Ida worked very hard in the orchards and canneries and managed to graduate from Watsonville High School in 1942.

From 1942 through 1955, Ida began her business career working at Pajaro Valley Bank, in Watsonville. Ida learned very quickly that the gender pay gap was unjust and decided to take control of her financial destiny by purchasing from her sisters, Mary & Virginia, & her mother, Mary, a thriving business, the Capitol Department Store, on Main Street, Watsonville. Ida rebranded this business and turned it into an iconic shopping destination for infants, women, and school fashion wear. Ida worked diligently, along with her family members, to serve the clothing needs of the community, including many Braceros from Mexico. Once the East Lake Village Shopping Center was built in the 1960's, Ida made the wise decision to move to this location, where her business grew even more, thus becoming, Ida's in the Village. Many women who worked for Ida learned aspects of customer service that extended far beyond a dress shop; loyalty, care, attention to detail, listening skills, marketing, management, accounting, the list is endless! Remembering her initial roots as an independent business owner and her loyal customers, Ida decided, in the 1980's, to open a second store on Main Street, paying homage to her Bracero clients, who called her "Aida", hence the name of her new store "Aida's". This shop specialized in baptismal and first communion apparel, as well as quinceañera accessories, which marked a success in providing for customer needs in the community.

After retiring from the business world in 1984, Ida began a new career in education as a Bilingual Instructional Aide in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, where she worked with many teachers and students at MacQuiddy Elementary School. Ida also dedicated her time to teach students the Catholic faith as a teacher of Christian Catechetical Doctrine, CCD. She touched the lives of many students over the years and quite a few of her former students still have fond memories of Ida's devotion and guidance. Ida retired a second time from education in 1990.

Throughout Ida's life, she always held a strong devotion to the Catholic faith and lived her life praying the rosary and accompanied the Priest at mass in local convalescent homes. She attended daily mass at St. Patrick's Church as well as Valley Catholic Church, where she also served as a lector at masses, vigils, funerals, and eucharistic minister. Ida was a long-time member of the Young Ladies Institute, a Catholic organization, where she made many cherished friendships with members of this community. Ida befriended many priests, nuns, and other members of the religious community within the Monterey Diocese. Ida participated in numerous pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Israel, with her dear friends within the local community.

Ida was quite the traveler, having visited Hawai'i and Acapulco numerous times with her lifelong friend, Jonnie Garcia. Ida visited her parents' homeland of Salamanca, Spain, to connect with her cousins, who were dear to her heart. She traveled with the Watsonville Band to Europe, which was quite a musical and memorable experience. Ida was our Auntie, sister, sister-in-law, family historian, teacher, mentor and mostly, an icon of our community and she is dearly missed by all!

Ida was preceded in death by parents Maria and Antonio, siblings Virginia, Sebastian, Peter, Ceferino, John, Mary, Tony, and Frank. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Bobeda as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in California, Oregon, Texas, and Spain.

The family would like to extend our thanks to the caregivers Violetta Villanueva & Eliza Perez, who over the last three years, provided love and attention, as well as caregivers from Visiting Angels. Also, Heartland Hospice of Santa Cruz County provided the most caring end of life support possible.

Visitation will be held at Mehl's Colonial Chapel on Wednesday, August 23 beginning at 5:00pm, with a Rosary recited at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, in Watsonville on Thursday, August 24, at 10:00am, followed by burial at the Watsonville Catholic Cemetery on Freedom Blvd in Watsonville.

Donations to Hospice of Santa Cruz County would be greatly appreciated.

Published in The Pajaronian · August 17, 2023