Piedad Avila

Piedad, daughter of Toms Ziga and Refugio Camarena, was born in a rural town of Patamburo, Michoacn, Mxico. She was the oldest of two children and later the oldest of five children when her father remarried.
Orphaned at the age of six, Piedad became the mother for her younger brother Saul. Although they lived in different countries for half of their lives, they always managed to maintain their close connection. Her relationship with her brother was one of her most valued. When their mother passed away, her father was in the US working as a bracero and they did not have anybody to fend for them. As Piedad began mothering Saul at this young age they both grew very attached. Later in life after both their spouses had passed away their bond grew even closer. They truly looked out for each other. Their love has been a true testament of survival and resilience.
Piedad married her husband Reynaldo vila in 1956, one day before her 20th birthday. When she married Reynaldo she found a true family she never really had growing up. She said her in-laws, Fidel and Guadalupe welcomed her with open arms. In addition, Reynaldos sister, Delfina and Lita got along so well they were like sisters. After many years of toiling in the fields and selling yams & milk in Catalinas, Michoacn, they immigrated to California in 1973 in search of a better life. With Reynaldo, they raised a family of seven children:
Evangelina (Eva), Guillermina (Mina), Noel, Alonso (Al), Rodrigo (Rodd), Uriel & Quintilia (Lia).
Piedads greatest legacy is her family. Her husband of 62 years, Papi Rey, was her rock. To her children, she was Mama Lita. Her memory will live on through the eyes of her 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, with another on the way.
To witness the love and support that our Papi Rey and Mama Lita shared was truly a blessing and an amazing gift to all of us. They demonstrated love that surpassed many obstacles.
Although the last few years slowed her down, probably because she missed her partner Reynaldo of 62 years, she met the last part of her journey with great dignity and grace.
Mami, our lives will never be the same without you. We are very grateful for the time we shared with you. Though we mourn your passing, we cling to the precious memories you have left us with. Heaven celebrates your homecoming!
Beloved Wife, Mami, Abuela, Sister, & Tia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Piedad vila Bio-Espaol
Piedad vila, hija de Toms Ziga y Refugio Camarena, naci en un pueblo rural de Patamburo, Michoacn, Mxico. Era la mayor de dos hijos y ms tarde la mayor de cinco cuando su padre se volvi a casar.
Hurfana a la edad de seis aos. Piedad se responsabiliz de su hermano chiquito. Aunque vivieron en diferentes pases durante la mitad de sus vidas, siempre lograron mantener su estrecha conexin. Su relacin con su hermano fue una de las ms valoradas. Cuando falleci su madre, su padre estaba en Estados Unidos trabajando como bracero y no tenan a nadie que los cuidara. Realmente se cuidaron el uno al otro. Su amor ha sido un verdadero testimonio de la capacidad de sobrevivir y sobresalir.
Piedad se cas con Reynaldo vila en 1956, un da antes de cumplir 20 aos.
Sus suegros Fidel y Guadalupe la recibieron con los brazos abiertos y encontr una verdadera familia que nunca tuvo al crecer. Adems, la hermana de Reynaldo, Delfina y Lita se llevaban tan bien que eran como hermanas. Despus de muchos aos de trabajar duro en los campos y vender camotes y leche en Catalinas emigraron a California en 1973 en busca de una vida mejor.
El mayor legado de Piedad es su familia. Su esposo durante 62 aos, Papi Rey, fue su pilar. Para sus hijos, ella era Mama Lita. Su recuerdo vivir a travs de los ojos de sus 10 nietos y 5 bisnietos, y otro en camino.
Ser testigo del amor y el apoyo que compartieron nuestro Papi Rey y Mama Lita fue realmente una bendicin y un regalo increble para todos nosotros. Demostraron un amor que super muchos obstculos.
Mami, nuestras vidas nunca sern las mismas sin usted. Estamos muy agradecidos por el tiempo que compartimos con usted. Aunque lamentamos su muerte, nos aferramos a los preciosos recuerdos que nos ha dejado. El cielo celebra su regreso a casa!
Amada Esposa, Mam, Abuela, Hermana y Ta

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