Maria Elena Lorca
Maria Elena Lorca, our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, and a long time resident of Old Town Goleta, took her last breath Sunday, November 20 at Sarah House with her family next to her side.
She was born August 11, 1930 in Durango, Mexico, and came to Santa Barbara at the age of 18 were she found the love of her life, Raul Lorca. They were married in Guadalajara, Mexico and raised five children. In 1965, our dad Raul moved to Tijuana, Mexico to find a job and new home so they can start their journey to immigrate to the United States, soon after the family joined him. Our Mom, Elena, got her visa first and found a job in the United States. She would make the commute twice a month from Santa Barbara to Tijuana to be with her family for the next 3 years. They had a sixth child who was born in Santa Barbara and in 1970, they were able to reunite the entire family and settled in Old Town Goleta, Ca. where they made their home of 47 years. She is loved by so many in her neighborhood. She is survived by her 6 children, Silvia, Jorge, Virginia, Miguel, Benny and Rosalinda, and 16 grandchildren, Raul, Jorge Jr. Veronica, Myrna, Leana, Joshua, Jessica, Andres, Danny, Brenda, Ivan, Yazmin, Benny Jr., Julio, Emilio, and Marcelo, and 15 great grandchildren. With her strength and love she made our lives possible and to continue her dream that would have all the opportunity that this country can give us. She will be deeply missed, she will live be in our hearts forever. Thanks to Sarah House, who helped us through this journey, we were able to say our last good-byes to our Mom.
“Nena’s Home”
Home never empty,
Door always open,
Home always with singing birds,
Flowers always blooming,
Kitchen always plentiful,
Always left smiling.
Rosary Services will be held on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00 and mass will be on Thursday, December 1 at 10:00 am. Both services will held at St. Rafael’s Church, 5444 Hollister Ave, Goleta CA 93117. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting to send Donations to Sarah House, 2612 Modoc, Santa Barbara CA 93105.