In Loving Memory of Catherine O. “Wera” Cervantez
February 13, 1934 – July 4, 2025
Our beloved mama and grandma, Catherine O. “Wera” Cervantez, 91, of Piru, California, peacefully passed away on July 4, 2025, to be with our Lord and to reunite with her loving husband and cherished family who went before her.
Catherine was born on February 13, 1934, in Piru, California, to Ignacio and Amanda Abalos Ortega. She attended schools in both Piru and Fillmore up until the 8th grade, as she often traveled between Piru and El Paso, Texas with her parents.
In 1951, at the age of 17, she met the love of her life, Manual Cervantez of Piru. Together they built a beautiful life and family in their “little castle,” as she fondly called it, in Piru. They were blessed with five children and shared 47 years of marriage until his passing in 1998.
Catherine worked for the Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association as a lead grader for 29 years. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong parishioner of San Salvador Mission Church. She loved living across the street from the church, where the sound of its bells brought her joy throughout the day. Catherine was a proud member of the Sacred Heart Society, where she once served as President.
She found happiness in the simple joys of life—gardening, shopping with her daughters, spending time with her siblings, caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching Dodgers games or the Animal Planet channel, and especially drinking her extra-hot coffee throughout the day. She adored her siblings deeply and was always there for them. Catherine warmly welcomed everyone who visited her home, always offering them coffee with her signature phrase: “Dales café.”
She is survived by her children: Pauline (husband Gilbert), Phyllis, Phillip (wife Doreen), Greg (wife Sharyne), and Angela (husband Manuel); 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; her sister and best friend, Delfina Ortega; many nieces, nephews, and her honorary family friend, Sandi Graham.
Catherine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Manual Cervantez, her loving parents, and her siblings.
Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Deutch and his staff for their many years of care, to nurses Christine Holliday and Kathrine Montes of Los Robles Home Health/Hospice for their compassion and dignity in her final days, to Irma Torres for her support and caregiving assistance, and to her niece—our cousin—Denise Ruiz, for the time, love, and care she gave to Mama.
We will miss you deeply, Mama. You were our strength and our home. May you rest in peace with Daddy. Please watch over us and pray for us. Your love lives on in all of us. We love you, and thank you for everything. Until we meet again.
Family and friends are invited to a Most Holy Rosary and Funeral Mass which will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at San Salvador Mission Church, 4045 Center Street. Piru, Ca.
Internment to follow at Piru Cemetery, 3956 Center Street, Piru, Ca. Reception to follow back at San Salvador Mission Church outdoor patio gazebo.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura, Ca.