Sara Marquez

Maria Sara Marquez (Aguilera), gained her angel wings on May 18, 2022 in Orosi, CA after a courageous 11 year battle with appendix cancer. She passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 76. Maria, commonly known as Sara, was born in El Paso, TX on October 30, 1945. She was one of ten children born to father Rosendo Aguilera and mother Elisa (Esparza) Aguilera. In 1953, Sara and her family moved from El Paso, TX to Cutler, CA. She graduated from Orosi High School in 1964. On March 30, 1968, Sara married former classmate Pete R. Marquez, and they began their life together in Orosi. They had three children: Thomas, Nicholas, and Stacy. Sara co-owned and managed the family trucking business for thirty years while she simultaneously managed the Marquez household. She also worked seasonally at local fruit packing houses and later as a sales clerk for Gallagher's Furniture located in both Orosi and Dinuba. Sara was dedicated to her family. She was strong willed yet she loved with her entire being. To her grandchildren who she loved very much, she was affectionately known as Nana. Her greatest joy was watching her children and grandchildren grow and succeed which is why she always encouraged them to do their best in life. Sara was an incredible cook and her menudo, tortillas, and other homemade meals were unrivaled. She had an infectious laugh and funny sense of humor. She laughed the hardest at her own jokes. A silent laugh so hard it caused tears to well and stream down her cheeks. Her humor, her sense of adventure, and her ability to nurture was evident in everything she did: from taking road trips with her family to tending to her pets and her garden. Sara had great taste in music. Whatever she was doing, music was always playing. Whenever her favorite songs were on she never passed up an opportunity to drag her husband out to dance with her. Sara instilled in her children the importance of family, responsibility and work ethic. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was the sun in her family's solar system and she will truly be missed by all those who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace. Sara is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Luis, Daniel and David Aguilera and her sister Helen Olivas. She is survived by her husband Pete; children Thomas; Nicholas (Beatriz); and Stacy (Peter) Perzan; grandchildren Nick Jr. , Andre, Anysia, and Leandra; great grandchildren, Scarlett and Keshawn Jr.; brothers Leo and Samuel Aguilera; sisters Ramona Trujillo, Juliette Thomas, and Esther Florendo; many nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Mattie and cat Cleo. Prayer Service will be held 10 AM - 12 PM Saturday, May 28th, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com. In lieu of flowers, the Marquez family requests that you donate to the ACPMP-Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation at in honor of Sara Marquez.

Sara Marquez

October 30, 1945 - May 18, 2022