Victoria Flores Avilez

Victoria Avilez, faithful daughter, beautiful sister, beloved mother and loyal friend On May 21st, 2025, Victoria Avilez returned home to our Lord our Savior just a week after her 73rd birthday. She joins her previous husband Louis Smith and son Louis Anthony Smith, Jr., her parents Tomas Ramirez Avilez and Mary Flores Avilez, her three brothers; Tomas Avilez, Jose Avilez, and Louie Avilez and two sisters; Mary Rachel Rodriguez and Jessie Avilez. As you see she was part of a large family and her early years were spent working in the fields under the supervision of her father. She would tell us accounts of when she would go to work in the fields before going to school. She graduated from Woodlake High School in 1970. As it goes she moved into working in a nursery then clothing factory until her years working at Golden State Business College as an instructor for court reporters. She had the courage to go back to school and become a Registered Dental Assistant. After completing her dental school she had an opportunity to work for SJVC's new Dental Hygiene program where she made wonderful friends and met some wonderful students. She retired from SJVC after 25 years as their Registered Dental Assistant Clinic Manager but her true calling was being a full time grandma. As a faithful servant of God she chose to give her time in service of others to bring people closer to God. She taught Catechism at St. Frances Cabrini of Woodlake and led a few youth groups. She grew closer to her faith that she became a Eucharistic minister to those who were homebound and unable to go in person to receive the Holy Eucharist. It brought her great joy to pray and provide these faithfuls this gift. At any time in your encounters with Victoria you would see her wearing a brown scapular and a rosary with her in her pocket or purse, this was her own way of always carrying our Lord as a reminder of His faithfulness and perfection. She enjoyed being with her family. She appreciated the times she celebrated birthdays bringing sweet treats and the potlucks bringing along her famous chile verde, chicken mole and rice. She loved cooking. It was a gift for her to see you enjoying the food she made. "Cooking is my therapy," she would say. She loved being home in the yard and with the family dogs when they were around. She loved football, she could call out a good play no matter the teams that was playing. She loved to cheer at games. She spent her retired years being with her grandkids and around family. During her leisure time you could find her praying the Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, cooking in the kitchen, watering the yard while listening to oldies or Relevant radio, binge watching tv shows with family, lunch with family and friends, going to yard sales, and going to mass at St. Joachim's Catholic Church. She would say "I've been blessed and I thank God for every extra day He has given me since my triple bypass." Victoria's memory and legacy lives on with her family; survivors include her three sisters; Gloria Rodriguez (Eusebio Rodriguez), Helen Avilez, and Sylvia Avilez along with nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her daughter Sarina Iniguez De La Rosa (Victor De La Rosa) and son Ray Iniguez Avilez. Her joyous grandchildren include Precious Rochelle Smith-Allen (Daquaries Allen), Miracle Victoria Smith, Isaiah Anthony De La Rosa, Monique Guadalupe De La Rosa, Linda Xochitl De La Rosa, Noel Yolotli De La Rosa, Janet Damaris De La Rosa Israel Benjamin De La Rosa and Ishmael Devante De La Rosa. Great Grandchildren Daquaries Allen, Jr., Journe Jones, and Serenity Navarro. She will be dearly missed and loved by many whose lives she touched. It brings us peace that she is no longer suffering from her pain here. She is in heaven with all her loved ones. Visitation will be held 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday, June 16th, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Rosary will follow at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial services will be held 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 608 N. Church Street, Visalia. Graveside services will be held 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at Woodlake Public Cemetery, 165 N Cypress St, Woodlake. And a celebration of life at the Woodlake Veterans Memorial Building 355 N. Acacia St. Woodlake, Ca 93286. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Victoria Flores Avilez

May 14, 1952 - May 21, 2025