Maria Rico

Gomez

Maria Rico Gomez was born on October 5, 1925, in the state of Jalisco Mexico. Maria was born in the small village of Jesus Maria to her parents Nicandro Rico and Enedina Medina. She was the first born of 6 children. She attended the elementary school of San Ignacio where she met fellow student, Miguel Gomez. Maria and Miguel married in 1948.

After some time, the  young family moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, a much larger city. They would live in that city as a migrant family for many years to come. The migrant family experience began for Maria in 1966. She moved with her husband and children to Indio, CA. Later in the same year, the family relocated to  Hollister, a much cooler climate, where Maria's family still has roots.

Over the years, Maria would work at Almaden Vineyard in Paicines, CA and Cimino Packing of Hollister. Mostly, she was a home maker caring for her family. After Miguel retired, Maria would spend about a decade living in Jalisco with her husband before returning to Hollister in 1999.

Following the death of her husband, Maria would spend years working as a "Grandma" for a local bilingual elementary school in Hollister.. She retired from her post as a grandma when she was 89.

Maria was a loving mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. Her personality was strong and her beliefs were firm. She will be greatly missed. Her loved ones are comforted by the belief that she is now in the presence of her Lord and in the company of the loved ones that waited for her arrival in heaven. This includes her husband, Miguel Gomez, and two of her sons, Jose Cayetano and Hector Gomez as well as extended family members and loved ones.

She is survived by family in Mexico, such as her brother Miguel Rico of Guadalajara and family that live in California such as her surviving children, Miguel, Sylvia, Anaibelca, Efren and Abel, as well as their spouses and children.  Maria's remaining family is extensive and includes her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, extended family, life-long friends, and loved ones that have become family over decades of connection and memories.