Amy Kay Avelar (née McGinley) born April 7, 1975, of Ventura, California, passed away after a courageous fight with cancer (BRCA2 positive) on April 5, 2022 in Ventura, California. Amy was a lifelong Ventura resident, having been born to Bob and Barbara McGinley at Community Memorial Hospital. She went to Buena High School and graduated in 1993. Amy went on to earn a B.S degree in Nutritional Sciences from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She enjoyed running, hiking, and rescuing animals in need. Amy was a big supporter of SPARC in Santa Paula, California, a no-kill animal rescue shelter. All lives were important to Amy, especially animals who lacked the ability to help themselves when in perilous circumstances. Amy was also a strongly committed partner to Carlos and parent to her three awesome children.
Amy is survived by her loving husband, Carlos Avelar of Ventura who was affectionately by her side daily as her caretaker and companion. She is also survived by her three beautiful children Maya, Jacob, and Nicholas. She is survived by her father, Bob McGinley, who was in the room when Amy was born and held her hand when she passed, which brings him great comfort. Amy is also survived by her mother, Barbara Ann Michels, who adored Amy and took pride in caring for her daily during Amy’s final months. She is survived by her sister Eva, who will deeply miss their walks and hikes together and their secret conversations, as well as Eva’s children, Aaron Harris, Tatum Harris, and Annika Harris. Additionally, Amy is survived by an extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many wonderful lifelong friends in the community.
Amy is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Everett McGinley and Pauline Stropek, and maternal grandparents, Robert and Eva Michels.
Amy had such a love of the outdoors. She asked Eva to establish a memorial bench in Ventura, near a local hiking trail where people can sit and look at the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands views. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Ventura Botanical Gardens, P.O. Box 3127, Ventura, California, 93006. Please be sure to include a note stating that it is a gift in memory of Amy Avelar. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Anne Rodriguez, Dr. Amanda Frugoli, Dr. Lynn Kong, Dr. Sharif Tarazi, and the CMH nursing staff in the ICU and 6th floor, who brought daily comfort until her final minutes.
A private memorial service will be held in the near future. Arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 East Main Street, Ventura.