Raquel Vela Mendoza

Raquel, Mrs. Mendoza, or Raquelita as she was fondly known, died on February 25, 2025, at the age of 94 in Goleta, CA. She was born in Mexico City on March 17, 1930, and came to the United States in the 1960s. She was known as a rare and resourceful resident of the Westside community. Mrs. Mendoza was an outspoken community advocate for the voiceless for many causes including rights of Latino youth, immigrants, farmworkers, neighborhood pride, bilingual education. and many others. She spearheaded efforts in neighborhood pride in areas needing trash cleanup and removal of graffiti. She was especially supportive of the farmworkers movement and marched with labor leaders such as Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

With her constant companion, Amber, her Chihuahua, always at her side, Raquel was a constant speaker at city hall meetings and the Santa Barbara School District, speaking truth to power with her vocal and forceful enthusiasm to help make positive changes throughout the Santa Barbara community. Raquel volunteered at many organizations including La Casa de La Raza and the Westside Neighborhood Center amongst others. She often cooked for special events and holiday pozole dinners.

She also assisted with neighborhood block parties, food distributions and the salsa festival. She volunteered in the Mariachi festival and spent many years of service working to improve the lives of children and families throughout Santa Barbara. She was proud of her Mexican heritage and advocated for the preservation of the Spanish language and cultural pride.

A funeral mass was celebrated on Friday, March 14, 2025, 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Pueblo del Rey Funeral Services.