Our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ciria Renteria Aceves, sadly passed away on February 6, 2023, at the age of ninety-nine. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time she passed. Ciria was born on April 21, 1923, to parents Tiburcio and Ciria Renteria, in San Marcos, Texas.
Our mother was predeceased by her loving husband Frank R. Aceves, son Frankie Aceves, grandson Diego Rivera, mother and father Tiburcio and Ciria Renteria, and nine beloved brothers and sisters.
Mom will be remembered by her daughter Angela Rivera, son-in-law Arturo Rivera, daughter Lydia Romero, son-in-law Steve Romero, grandchildren Jessica, Carlos, Julie, Stevie Jr., Savannah, and great-grandchildren Jazmine, CJ, Violette, Chris, Malia, Noelle, Bradley, Mia, Julian, Josiah, and Benjamin, sister Amalia Gallegos, brothers Carlos and Joe Renteria, and several loving nieces and nephews.
Mom was born and raised in San Marcos, Texas. She came from a large family and was the 6th of 12 children, six boys and six girls. They lived in a big country home on a large piece of land. They raised cows, chickens, and pigs. She loved sharing stories of her father’s general store, midnight runs to milk the cow when they wanted to make fresh chocolate cake, running after chickens to catch the family’s dinner, hot summer nights sleeping on the patio, dance performances to entertain friends, and most of all so many memorable times with all her siblings.
After graduating from high school in 1942 her family decided to move to San Antonio, Texas. There, she and her sister Alice became Rosie Riveters at Kelly Field. They were trained as auto mechanics. They worked on the steering wheels for army jeeps. She also worked on the coolant systems of the propellers on the B-27 war airplanes. She loved working as a Rosie Riveter and was very proud that she could help our country in this capacity. Her message to us girls was that women could be just as helpful as men during war times. She is an inspiration to all of us!
Soon after the war was over, mom and her sister Alice traveled to California in hopes to go to Hollywood to become models. They made a stop in Oakland to visit their sister Cleo. They went to a dance at The Sweet's Ballroom in Downtown Oakland. There, Mom met the love of her life, our dad, and married three weeks later. They were married for 39 years before his untimely passing. She was a full-time homemaker and mom to us three kids. She took care of the house and did all the cooking, cleaning, and baking too. She was a wonderful cook and will be remembered for all the great dishes she has shared. She made delicious lemon meringue pies and beautiful coconut cakes, all from scratch. Thanksgiving dinner was always very special with her savory turkey and flavorful Texas style cornbread dressing, a family favorite. Mom made tamales every Christmas Eve, and we all pitched in to help. It was a family affair. She and Dad enjoyed entertaining family and friends and hosted many holiday dinners. Birthday celebrations were always incredibly special too.
She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, needlepoint, and loved gardening. She loved flowers, especially the good ol’ Yellow Rose of Texas. She enjoyed reading the newspaper, Enquire tabloid, and People magazines. She knew all the latest on the Hollywood stars and loved going to the movie theater. Mom watched all the TV talk shows, including Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Regis Philbin, and Oprah, just to name a few.
Mom loved to gamble and took many trips to Reno, Tahoe, and Las Vegas. She was very lucky. She always said, “You have to bet big to win big.” Our “Lady Luck” enjoyed playing card games with her kids and grandkids.
She loved all types of music and dance: country, big band, jazz, latin, pop, and rock n’ roll. She even taught herself how to play the piano by ear.
Mom was the very best mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. We are grateful for the strength, love, and family values that she instilled in us. She taught us so much about life. Mom was very loved and treasured, and we will miss her very, very much. May she rest in peace.
Funeral services are as follows:
St. Jarlath Catholic Church
2620 Pleasant St.
Oakland, CA 94602
Rosary/Vigil Services
Monday, Feb. 27, 2023
Visitation at 5:00 pm
Rosary at 6:00 pm
Funeral Mass - Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at 10:00 am
St. Mary Cemetery
4529 Howe St.
Oakland, CA 94611
Committal
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at 11:30 am.
