Obituary of Gloria Alvarez-Frausto

Services will be on Friday and Saturday in Santa Cruz for Gloria Alvarez-Frausto who passed away peacefully on March 9, 2014 following a very brief illness. Born in La Barca, Jalisco, Mexico, she was raised in Tangancicuaro, Michoacan, Mexico and leaves many loving relatives and family there. Her father was able to get work in the United States through the Bracero Program, and Gloria settled in the farming community of Parlier in the Central San Joaquin Valley. She moved to the Santa Cruz area 45 years ago and was a devoted mother, and dedicated provider for her family. Gloria worked for John Ingalls Foods as a line worker, and later with Pacific Coast Produce with career that spanned over 25 years in the food industry. She enjoyed her involvement with Goodwill Industries and made many dear friends and acquaintances while she worked there. She was indeed a tireless and selfless worker up until her passing; employed in the housekeeping trade for numerous hotels and motels in the Santa Cruz Beach area. Gloria was associated with the Seabright Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, and was very passionate about her faith. She was also a lover of music, and a very talented dancer. For Gloria, the music was definitely inside of her as she danced to everything from Spanish Rock to Salsa. Her greatest love was for her family, and Gloria left this world knowing that her love and care for them all, was the best gift any mom or grandmother could ever give. She is survived by her son, Juan Antonio Alvarez of Las Vegas, her daughters; Mirna Perez of Santa Cruz, and Melina Perez Gallardo of Capitola; her two grandchildren: Ariana Marie Jones, and Nicolai Immanuel Ciutura. One of nine children, Gloria was preceded in death by her brother Victor Alvarez and her sister, Lucia Alvarez-Frausto; and leaves her siblings: Jose Luis Alvarez of Mexico, Angela Alvarez of Santa Cruz, Consuelo Alvarez of Santa Cruz, Rosa Alvarez of Fresno, Robert Alvarez of Mexico, and Sylvia Kozlowski-Alvarez of Morgan Hill. Friends and family will gather on Friday, March 14, at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz, for a viewing beginning at 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. A prayer service and eulogy will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the chapel. A memorial service will follow on Saturday, March 15th, at the Seabright Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (960 Brommer Street) in Santa Cruz beginning at 2:30 pm. Please share your thoughts and reflections with her family by visiting online, and lighting a candle at www.pacificgardenschapel.com