Dora Ybarra

Dora peacefully passed away in God's arms on December 4, 2023 at her home in Watsonville surrounded by her loving family. She was 88 years old.

Dora was born in Mesa, Arizona on January 26, 1935. She attended Gilbert Elementary and Gilbert High School. Just short of graduating, Dora began working to help her parents support her family of twelve. With a strong work ethic and dedication to helping her family, Dora took on helping to care for her siblings and picking cotton in the fields of Arizona. Dora met her husband, Frank Ybarra, while living and working on the ranch in Chandler, Arizona. And though she played hard to get, there was an instant connection. When Dora saw Frank, she said, "I'm going to marry that man." And that she did. The two were married December 2, 1955. Soon after, they moved to Watsonville. It was here they bought a home, built a business, and raised their family.

Dora and Frank had three children, Diana, Felix, and Christina. Along with being a mom, Dora continued to work, picking fruit, cutting, sorting, and cleaning vegetables at Watsonville Cannery, sewing pajamas at Colshire, helping clients select the perfect outfit for their children at Ford's Department Store, and running her record shop the "The Gold Record." She was an active parent supporter in the Penny Club in Watsonville, an organization that aimed to teach children music and build friendships. She was also involved in MAPA (Mexican American Political Association). Through these organizations, Dora built a strong community of lifelong friends around her. Above all else, Dora loved raising her three children and working in her garden.

In retirement, Dora took an active role in the support of her family and loved every minute of it. Lovingly known as, "Grandma Dora," she could often be found picking up her grandchildren from school, taking them to their various activities, cheering them on at school and sporting events, cooking for them, and taking them shopping. She was a "home away from home," and filled them up with delicious food and love. A skilled cook, she fed her family well and often. Homemade salsa, delicious guacamole, chicken tacos, chile verde, fried chicken, enchiladas and tamales were just a few of her signature dishes.

Dora also enjoyed her countless travels with her husband and friends to Acapulco, the Caribbean and Reno. She enjoyed gambling and seemed to have luck on her side! The most memorable trips were with her entire family to Disneyland, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii and the Pajaro Dunes.

Dora was a woman of great faith, and a devout Catholic. She shared and instilled a love and faith in God in her children and grandchildren. When times were tough, she reminded them to, "say a prayer." She reminded them that things would happen "with God's favor," and would always send them on their way with, "God bless you." She was strong, kind, and caring and led by example. She was loving and warm but would also tell you her honest opinion. The legacy she leaves behind is a strong, close, and loving family. She will be greatly and deeply missed.

Dora is survived by her three children, daughter Diana Vargas (Javier,) son Phil Ybarra (Shaz,) and daughter Christina Fischer (Chuck) all of Watsonville, sisters Angie Ely, Clara Ledesma and Arcenia Tamanian and seven grandchildren, Andrew Vargas (Nicole) of Irvine, Eric Vargas (Nadia) of Watsonville, Francesca Landa (Angel), Alexis Coulter (Matt) of San Ramon, Trisha Van Hien (Patrick) of Walnut Creek, Garrett Fischer of Watsonville, Nicole Mitchell (Kraig) of Watsonville), two step-grandchildren Chris Lint (Alicia) of Watsonville, and Adam Lint (Brittany) of Watsonville, and seventeen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank C. Ybarra, her father Ruben Saldate, her mother Ramona Saldate, brothers Ruben, Freddie, Richard and Mauro Saldate, sisters Delia Moreno, Genevie Saldate, Mary Helen Rodriguez, and Mary Helen Saldate.

The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dora's wonderful caregivers, Elvia, Cinthia, Imelda, Irma, and Hospice of Santa Cruz.

Public viewing will be held at Mehl's Colonial Chapel on Monday December 11, 2023 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with a vigil rosary at 7:00pm. Mass will take place at Resurrection Church in Aptos on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00am

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Moreland Notre Dame School, 133 Brennan St., Watsonville, Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, or your favorite charity.

Published in The Pajaronian · December 6, 2023