Maria Consuelo CARDONA was born the first born child to parents Hipolito CARDONA & Eugenia CISNEROS-Orellana de Cardona, in San Salvador, EL SALVADOR at 11:30am in the morning of November 26, 1921.
Lovingly known to her family as 'Chelo' or 'Consuelito', she emigrated to the U.S. in 1945. There, through her brother Pompilio, she met his friend Reynaldo LOPEZ (1923-1986) in San Francisco, CA. -Both she and Reynaldo originated from Central America (Reynaldo born in Nicaragua), and soon fell in love. Just 6 weeks after their September 1946 meeting, Consuelo and Reynaldo married in a civil ceremony at San Francisco's City Hall on October 27, 1946, and made their new life together, in the Bay Area.
A year later, on October 10, 1947, Consuelo and Reynaldo welcomed their first-born, daughter Theresa. Next came daughter Martha, born October 22, 1949, son 'Mike' (Miguel Reynaldo Jr.) born January 22, 1951, then daughter Yolanda born July 9, 1952, then daughter Mari (Virginia Marivel) born October 30, 1953, then daughter 'Connie' (Consuelo Jr.) born May 10, 1958, and last, daughter Wanda born on March 31, 1959. Soon after, the family moved from their home in Redwood City, CA., to Southern California, settling in La Mirada, CA.
Through the years that followed, Consuelo opened her home to all and any, in need, including her sister Eugenita and brother Memo, when they first came up from El Salvador. She was mother to countless extended family, and was a beloved and dutiful daughter to her parents, to the end of their lives. Chelo always sacrificed her needs before others, and lived her life, with an undying Faith in Jesus Christ. After the passing of her parents and beloved Reynaldo in the 1980s, she welcomed the dozens of grandchildren, who gave her such blessings.
In her final years, she would speak hours about her long life. Though Consuelo was never much for socializing or outings, and hardly ventured outside her home, she could still share hours and hours of life stories, with anyone who would listen.
She often spoke of her fascinating early life in El Salvador, spinning tales of her old classmates and friends, and loving memories of her family; her departed brothers Chepe & Pompilio, and her grandparents who she lovingly called her 'Lelo y Lela'. Chelo shared stories of her early married years in the Bay Area, and how she met her husband Reynaldo, while working at San Francisco's prestigious Mark Hopkins Hotel. Though they struggled those early years, she recounted endlessly of their first home off Divisadero Street, and later their first house in Redwood City, and raising her young children.
As she grew older, though often opinionated, Consuelo never turned her back on those in need. Her heart was truly dedicated to the underdog, always finding the best, in the least of us. Though her views on life and family were sometimes frustrating to many, she only expected the best in others, and to do the right thing, and with a righteous heart. And though Consuelo at times could be exhausting, she always, ALWAYS lived her life with an open, giving heart; a heart filled with the love and pride in the family that she loved more than anything. She gave to the very end.
On November 26, 2011, her entire family was blessed to gather for Consuelo's 90th birthday celebration. Her special day was filled with tribute, memories, and boundless expressions of a beautiful life lived. Anytime, Consuelo's favorite times, were those always spent among the family she loved. She burst with the pride she felt of her family, and what they all had grown to be; an extension of her legacy of love. Later she spoke for days, to her nursing staff, about how beautiful her 90th celebration day was. As always, her heart was full. And though Consuelo only lived another eight weeks, in the end, her last full day was surrounded by the family she loved. She went to her Lord in peace, in the early morning of January 23, 2012, leaving behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Eugenita, brother Memo, and countless nieces and nephews.
~But her legacy of love lives on.
Lovingly known to her family as 'Chelo' or 'Consuelito', she emigrated to the U.S. in 1945. There, through her brother Pompilio, she met his friend Reynaldo LOPEZ (1923-1986) in San Francisco, CA. -Both she and Reynaldo originated from Central America (Reynaldo born in Nicaragua), and soon fell in love. Just 6 weeks after their September 1946 meeting, Consuelo and Reynaldo married in a civil ceremony at San Francisco's City Hall on October 27, 1946, and made their new life together, in the Bay Area.
A year later, on October 10, 1947, Consuelo and Reynaldo welcomed their first-born, daughter Theresa. Next came daughter Martha, born October 22, 1949, son 'Mike' (Miguel Reynaldo Jr.) born January 22, 1951, then daughter Yolanda born July 9, 1952, then daughter Mari (Virginia Marivel) born October 30, 1953, then daughter 'Connie' (Consuelo Jr.) born May 10, 1958, and last, daughter Wanda born on March 31, 1959. Soon after, the family moved from their home in Redwood City, CA., to Southern California, settling in La Mirada, CA.
Through the years that followed, Consuelo opened her home to all and any, in need, including her sister Eugenita and brother Memo, when they first came up from El Salvador. She was mother to countless extended family, and was a beloved and dutiful daughter to her parents, to the end of their lives. Chelo always sacrificed her needs before others, and lived her life, with an undying Faith in Jesus Christ. After the passing of her parents and beloved Reynaldo in the 1980s, she welcomed the dozens of grandchildren, who gave her such blessings.
In her final years, she would speak hours about her long life. Though Consuelo was never much for socializing or outings, and hardly ventured outside her home, she could still share hours and hours of life stories, with anyone who would listen.
She often spoke of her fascinating early life in El Salvador, spinning tales of her old classmates and friends, and loving memories of her family; her departed brothers Chepe & Pompilio, and her grandparents who she lovingly called her 'Lelo y Lela'. Chelo shared stories of her early married years in the Bay Area, and how she met her husband Reynaldo, while working at San Francisco's prestigious Mark Hopkins Hotel. Though they struggled those early years, she recounted endlessly of their first home off Divisadero Street, and later their first house in Redwood City, and raising her young children.
As she grew older, though often opinionated, Consuelo never turned her back on those in need. Her heart was truly dedicated to the underdog, always finding the best, in the least of us. Though her views on life and family were sometimes frustrating to many, she only expected the best in others, and to do the right thing, and with a righteous heart. And though Consuelo at times could be exhausting, she always, ALWAYS lived her life with an open, giving heart; a heart filled with the love and pride in the family that she loved more than anything. She gave to the very end.
On November 26, 2011, her entire family was blessed to gather for Consuelo's 90th birthday celebration. Her special day was filled with tribute, memories, and boundless expressions of a beautiful life lived. Anytime, Consuelo's favorite times, were those always spent among the family she loved. She burst with the pride she felt of her family, and what they all had grown to be; an extension of her legacy of love. Later she spoke for days, to her nursing staff, about how beautiful her 90th celebration day was. As always, her heart was full. And though Consuelo only lived another eight weeks, in the end, her last full day was surrounded by the family she loved. She went to her Lord in peace, in the early morning of January 23, 2012, leaving behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Eugenita, brother Memo, and countless nieces and nephews.
~But her legacy of love lives on.
Maria Consuelo CARDONA was born the first born child to parents Hipolito CARDONA & Eugenia CISNEROS-Orellana de Cardona, in San Salvador, EL SALVADOR at 11:30am in the morning of November 26, 1921.
Lovingly known to her family as 'Chelo' or 'Consuelito', she emigrated to the U.S. in 1945. There, through her brother Pompilio, she met his friend Reynaldo LOPEZ (1923-1986) in San Francisco, CA. -Both she and Reynaldo originated from Central America (Reynaldo born in Nicaragua), and soon fell in love. Just 6 weeks after their September 1946 meeting, Consuelo and Reynaldo married in a civil ceremony at San Francisco's City Hall on October 27, 1946, and made their new life together, in the Bay Area.
A year later, on October 10, 1947, Consuelo and Reynaldo welcomed their first-born, daughter Theresa. Next came daughter Martha, born October 22, 1949, son 'Mike' (Miguel Reynaldo Jr.) born January 22, 1951, then daughter Yolanda born July 9, 1952, then daughter Mari (Virginia Marivel) born October 30, 1953, then daughter 'Connie' (Consuelo Jr.) born May 10, 1958, and last, daughter Wanda born on March 31, 1959. Soon after, the family moved from their home in Redwood City, CA., to Southern California, settling in La Mirada, CA.
Through the years that followed, Consuelo opened her home to all and any, in need, including her sister Eugenita and brother Memo, when they first came up from El Salvador. She was mother to countless extended family, and was a beloved and dutiful daughter to her parents, to the end of their lives. Chelo always sacrificed her needs before others, and lived her life, with an undying Faith in Jesus Christ. After the passing of her parents and beloved Reynaldo in the 1980s, she welcomed the dozens of grandchildren, who gave her such blessings.
In her final years, she would speak hours about her long life. Though Consuelo was never much for socializing or outings, and hardly ventured outside her home, she could still share hours and hours of life stories, with anyone who would listen.
She often spoke of her fascinating early life in El Salvador, spinning tales of her old classmates and friends, and loving memories of her family; her departed brothers Chepe & Pompilio, and her grandparents who she lovingly called her 'Lelo y Lela'. Chelo shared stories of her early married years in the Bay Area, and how she met her husband Reynaldo, while working at San Francisco's prestigious Mark Hopkins Hotel. Though they struggled those early years, she recounted endlessly of their first home off Divisadero Street, and later their first house in Redwood City, and raising her young children.
As she grew older, though often opinionated, Consuelo never turned her back on those in need. Her heart was truly dedicated to the underdog, always finding the best, in the least of us. Though her views on life and family were sometimes frustrating to many, she only expected the best in others, and to do the right thing, and with a righteous heart. And though Consuelo at times could be exhausting, she always, ALWAYS lived her life with an open, giving heart; a heart filled with the love and pride in the family that she loved more than anything. She gave to the very end.
On November 26, 2011, her entire family was blessed to gather for Consuelo's 90th birthday celebration. Her special day was filled with tribute, memories, and boundless expressions of a beautiful life lived. Anytime, Consuelo's favorite times, were those always spent among the family she loved. She burst with the pride she felt of her family, and what they all had grown to be; an extension of her legacy of love. Later she spoke for days, to her nursing staff, about how beautiful her 90th celebration day was. As always, her heart was full. And though Consuelo only lived another eight weeks, in the end, her last full day was surrounded by the family she loved. She went to her Lord in peace, in the early morning of January 23, 2012, leaving behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Eugenita, brother Memo, and countless nieces and nephews.
~But her legacy of love lives on.
Lovingly known to her family as 'Chelo' or 'Consuelito', she emigrated to the U.S. in 1945. There, through her brother Pompilio, she met his friend Reynaldo LOPEZ (1923-1986) in San Francisco, CA. -Both she and Reynaldo originated from Central America (Reynaldo born in Nicaragua), and soon fell in love. Just 6 weeks after their September 1946 meeting, Consuelo and Reynaldo married in a civil ceremony at San Francisco's City Hall on October 27, 1946, and made their new life together, in the Bay Area.
A year later, on October 10, 1947, Consuelo and Reynaldo welcomed their first-born, daughter Theresa. Next came daughter Martha, born October 22, 1949, son 'Mike' (Miguel Reynaldo Jr.) born January 22, 1951, then daughter Yolanda born July 9, 1952, then daughter Mari (Virginia Marivel) born October 30, 1953, then daughter 'Connie' (Consuelo Jr.) born May 10, 1958, and last, daughter Wanda born on March 31, 1959. Soon after, the family moved from their home in Redwood City, CA., to Southern California, settling in La Mirada, CA.
Through the years that followed, Consuelo opened her home to all and any, in need, including her sister Eugenita and brother Memo, when they first came up from El Salvador. She was mother to countless extended family, and was a beloved and dutiful daughter to her parents, to the end of their lives. Chelo always sacrificed her needs before others, and lived her life, with an undying Faith in Jesus Christ. After the passing of her parents and beloved Reynaldo in the 1980s, she welcomed the dozens of grandchildren, who gave her such blessings.
In her final years, she would speak hours about her long life. Though Consuelo was never much for socializing or outings, and hardly ventured outside her home, she could still share hours and hours of life stories, with anyone who would listen.
She often spoke of her fascinating early life in El Salvador, spinning tales of her old classmates and friends, and loving memories of her family; her departed brothers Chepe & Pompilio, and her grandparents who she lovingly called her 'Lelo y Lela'. Chelo shared stories of her early married years in the Bay Area, and how she met her husband Reynaldo, while working at San Francisco's prestigious Mark Hopkins Hotel. Though they struggled those early years, she recounted endlessly of their first home off Divisadero Street, and later their first house in Redwood City, and raising her young children.
As she grew older, though often opinionated, Consuelo never turned her back on those in need. Her heart was truly dedicated to the underdog, always finding the best, in the least of us. Though her views on life and family were sometimes frustrating to many, she only expected the best in others, and to do the right thing, and with a righteous heart. And though Consuelo at times could be exhausting, she always, ALWAYS lived her life with an open, giving heart; a heart filled with the love and pride in the family that she loved more than anything. She gave to the very end.
On November 26, 2011, her entire family was blessed to gather for Consuelo's 90th birthday celebration. Her special day was filled with tribute, memories, and boundless expressions of a beautiful life lived. Anytime, Consuelo's favorite times, were those always spent among the family she loved. She burst with the pride she felt of her family, and what they all had grown to be; an extension of her legacy of love. Later she spoke for days, to her nursing staff, about how beautiful her 90th celebration day was. As always, her heart was full. And though Consuelo only lived another eight weeks, in the end, her last full day was surrounded by the family she loved. She went to her Lord in peace, in the early morning of January 23, 2012, leaving behind her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Eugenita, brother Memo, and countless nieces and nephews.
~But her legacy of love lives on.
