Vicenta Galvan Martinez's Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Vicenta Galvan MartinezVicenta Galvan was born in Los Angeles, Ca. July 20, 1916. Her young parents Jose Galvan Nunez and Lorenza Negrete Arias were both originally from Penjamo, GTO., Mexico. The family moved to Colonia Zaragoza, Mexicali, Mecico where they set down roots, ranched and grew cotton. The Galvan family ranch, “Rancho Las Palmas” is still producing. Vicenta was the third eldest daughter of nine. Isabel, Pascuala, Vicenta, Dolores, Josefa, Elias, Soledad, Audelia, and Jose Galvan. Two other siblings passed away at birth and early childhood. The eldest three girls worked the ranch like grown men. While Vicenta showed a work ethic, efficiency, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills, she was pulled out of school, 4th grade, to work full time. She soon found Chinese merchants from Calexico to purchase farm fresh eggs from her little chicken business; ducks, herbs, pomegranates, etc. Having learned to crochet and embroidery from her grandmother, Cholita, trading items for silks, shoes, toiletries, and Chinese imports became her passion. Vicenta’s business grew and supported her love of elegance and nice surroundings, purchasing and trading items for the ranch. Her love of music and talent for singing brought a crank-up RCA Victrola mahogany upright and records to the ranch. It continues to work and graces her living room. Vicenta was raised in the oldest (94 years) of Apostolic Churches in Colonia Zaragoza, Mexicali, Mexico. Her parents were very active as were all nine children in building their church structure and spiritual life. Her uncle, Pastor Juan Galvan Chaboya and Pastor Vicente Escamilla were the church’s leaders since 1922. Deacon Juan Andrade Martinez visited the church, met the seven Galvan sisters and married the tallest, elegant, shy, quiet, Vicenta on August 9th, 1941. After the wedding they came to live in their home in Chula Vista. Years later they built a new home behind the “honeymoon house,” where both passed away in their sleep. They lived well, they loved, and they gave generously to so many. May 3, 1942 Vicenta was baptized by Otay Pastor, Santiago Rodriguez, and received “El Espirito Santo.” Every Sunday the church kitchen was under a canvas cover, stove ran on petroleum, but the food was delicious and always sold out when Vicenta cooked. Six churches were built from this kitchen’s fundraisers. She worked from 1942 till the present helping wherever she could. For 74 years Vicenta was very generous to her church, contributing building materials, labor, time, and money. Her faith was a priority in her long healthy life. She loved to travel and covered west to east, north and south of all the United States plus Canada, France, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and of course throughout Mexico. One of her biggest desires was earning her “Jerusalem Pilgrim.” She fulfilled the Biblical Walk, seeing Jerusalem, the Holy City, Capital of Israel, and floating in the sea. Besides traveling, her hobbies were extensive. Cooking, collecting international recipes, gardening; she could make a stick grow into a flowering bush. Crochet; many of you enjoyed her designs – baby clothes, blankets, linens, tablecloths, and clothing. Ceramics; making custom kitchen and bathroom items. She loved you with her hands, gifting you with her creations. Exercise; fitness and health was a Martinez lifestyle. Vicenta started going to Jack Lalaine’s gym, lifted weights, learned to swim, did cardio, stationary bike, and walked every day. She kept this discipline, besides cooking, shopping, and actively managing her daily life. She had a fully packed life with lots of adventures. She was one of a kind, a unique manner, sense of humor, spice and loved to have fun and laugh. Her vitality and energy always belied her age. She has left an imprint on all who met her and especially got to know her. She will be missed but not forgotten. She is survived by her two children, four grandchildren, and ten greatgrandchildren, three sisters and one brother.
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