Heaven gained an angel on Wednesday, April 27th 2022 when Mary Beatrice Robles went peacefully into the arms of Jesus Christ our Lord. She was reunited and welcomed at the gates of Heaven by family members and loved ones who have gone before her and was definitely a grand joyous reunion.
Mary Beatrice Robles was born on September 19, 1936. She was born on Butler Ranch, California was the fourth of 13 children of Eduarda (Edna) Martinez and Joe (Chepe) Reveles of El Rio, California.
Preceded in death were her parents Edna and Joe Reveles, husband Luis Robles Sr., brothers Angel, Ernest (Beaver), Joe Jr., Frank and George Reveles, Gilbert Regalado, and baby sister Ruth.
Mary is survived by her sisters Sally Mora, Terry Maquinalez, Lydia Higgins, Emily Hurt, Ramona Martinez, and Lupe Reveles (sister-in-law) whom Mary always considered as a sister. She is also survived by her children Luis Robles Jr. (Olga Robles), Linda Ortega, Nina Hartstein, Lydia Esperance (Steve Esperance), Sylvia Robles (Ray Blattel), nine grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren (among those was “her baby” Ariella Marysa Magana whose middle name is in honor of Mary’s great grandma whom she loved profoundly), and one great-great grandchild.
Her devoted daughter Sylvia dedicated much of her time to ensure that Mary was well and in safe hands. Sylvia would take her mother out to eat on drives to the beach when Mary could no longer operate a vehicle. She would take her beloved mother weekly to visit her granddaughter Andria’s home so that she could spend time with her grandchildren and the family puppies. If Sylvia couldn’t make her daily visit to her mother, she would call her via telephone. Their relationship was a bond that was unbreakable and of which Sylvia maintained with extreme devotion and without hesitation. Mary was always self-sufficient and an independent soul but as her health worsened Sylvia earnestly sat by her side throughout the lengthy and painful illness her dear mother experienced. Mary particularly enjoyed spending time with “her baby” Ariella, who brought so much joy and pleasure to her. Sylvia’s husband Ray diligently called Mary at 7:00 a.m. on a daily basis then he would stop by to ensure that she had her meds. Together they would enjoy a cup of coffee and often a donut or muffin and they would then watch “Leave it to Beaver” following “Let’s Make a Deal” and “The Price is Right.”
Her daughter Nina Hartstein spent many precious weekends taking Mary to Santa Barbara, Ojai, Ventura and Chumash. Mary loved the hotel stays at the Marina watching the boats and God’s beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Mary spent precious time with Nina and her boys, Jared and Brandon and with their grand dog, Luna, while visiting Irvine.
Her son Luis looked forward to the many phone calls to Mary as he and his family live in Fresno. Luis would make trips out to see Mary as time allowed him to do so. Face times were always a great event for both of them to look forward to. Within the inner fibers of his heart, Luis will always know that he be Mary’s ‘Pearl’.
Lydia Esperance spent every Tuesday and Thursday taking Mary to get her coffee exactly the way Mary liked it. Mary loved the beach very much and her daughter Lydia would often take there until Lydia’s husband suffered a debilitating stroke and earned his wings in February of this year.
A special thank you to granddaughter Andria Garcia Magana for always being there to help her beloved grandma. Andria would prepare that special meal for Mary, talk to her during her sundowners to calm her down. Andria would particularly make her Grandma’s bed exactly the way she liked it when Mary was able to live on her own.
Mary was a hard worker and showed that from a very young age while pitting apricots in order for her to have school clothes. From the age of 8, Mary had to come home and help her mother prepare the masa for the tortillas for the family meals. Soon after, she was given the responsibility of making the tortillas as well. She never measured her ingredients for her tortillas but they always came out perfect. Growing up, Mary made tortillas every day for her children who loved to eat them with butter. She always instilled these ‘work hard’ values in her children. Mary was a very independent woman who lived on her own until her dementia was too severe that she couldn’t live self-sufficiently independent.
Unfortunately for Mary, she was left a young widow with five children with her husband’s demise. Thus, to help with family finances, Mary started working as a crossing guard on Las Posas and Lantana in Camarillo. A friendly neighbor introduced Mary to bowling in order to help her cope with the death of her husband. To Mary, this was a great sport and she immensely enjoyed bowling throughout the years. Mary joined many women’s and mixed bowling leagues and even travelled to the Nationals in many states to include New York, Tennessee, Nevada, Ohio, Louisiana, and many others. Mary had many great memories and enjoyable experiences on her bowling trips and she made many lifelong friends throughout the country. Her family is very grateful that Mary was able to travel and visit many places that she would have otherwise never had experienced.
Mary worked at several stores to include Western Auto in Oxnard and Camarillo, Zody’s in Oxnard, and finally Target where she worked for over 20 years. One of Mary’s last positions at Target (T-181) had her working the night shift where she had a key to the entire store. She was in charge of the night shift crew and was allowed to only open the door at the end of the shift. If you worked for Mary, you had to be a hard worker as she accepted no slackers! Unfortunately, Mary suffered a fall at work where she broke her wrist and dislocated her thumb which ended her bowling career and her ability to work into her 70’s.
If Mary was nowhere to be found, more than likely she drove herself to the Chumash Casino without informing anyone. On occasion she went to Las Vegas to bowl and gamble on the slot machines of which she won money most of the time.
Over the years, Mary’s health started to fail when she had a stroke and spent time in rehabilitation. Dementia and Alzheimer’s followed in the years after the stroke. It was extremely difficult for the children to witness these horrible diseases slowly depriving their mother of a well-deserved fulfilling healthy life.
The children ask that you please pray for those who suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer’s, and especially all caregivers of the same. Treasure the memories of Mary Beatrice Robles and know that she is finally at peace and forever joined with her loving husband, Luis Robles Sr., parents, and siblings and loved ones who have preceded her.
As special thank you to Dr. Ernest Pillado, who was Mary’s doctors for many years, the staff at Delphinium Manor – Divine, Ronald, and Myrna, and Livingston Hospice staff – Julie, Hana, Jessica, Amelia, Amanda, Amy, and Liberty.
In honor of her memory, in lieu of flowers, please perform an act of kindness to help someone in need. This is something that Mary always believed in to help others and shared what she had.
Please wear pink to honor our beautiful Mother as this was her favorite color.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours to be held Tuesday May 10, 2022 from 4 to 8pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura, where a Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 6pm. Funeral mass will be held at Santa Clara Chapel, 1333 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard on Wednesday, May 11th at 10:00 a.m. Interment will then immediately follow in Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery, Oxnard.