Jennie A (Aguilera) Becerra

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, Jennie Becerra, 94, loving mother, grandmother and Old Grandma (as referred by her great-grandchildren) went home to be with her maker. She left the world quietly at home in Oceanside, California.

Jennie was born on February 27, 1926 in Portales, New Mexico. One of 8 children, Jennie's mother died just shy of her 10th birthday. A year later, her father passed away. Left orphaned, Jennie and 4 of her siblings were placed at St. Boniface Indian School in Banning, California. Despite Jennie's dementia in later life, memories of her time at the Catholic run school were deeply rooted in her mind. She often recounted stories of her time there, including how the nuns often allowed her to sleep longer than some of the other children; sleep being one of the 2 things she would say she was always good at (the other being eating; boy did she love her sweets)! While most children left the school by age 18, Jennie remained until the age of eighteen and a half, working in the office and performing administrative duties. While she had fond memories of her time at the school, she would never forget how terrible it was to lose her parents at such a young age. Despite this loss, her upbringing at the school laid a foundation to a steadfast faith that she carried with her for the entirety of her life.

On November 8, 1945 Jennie married Clemente Becerra, a carpenter. They raised 2 children together, Helen and Edward, in their Corona, California home built by Clemente. Jennie and Clemente were happily married for 28 years until Clemente passed away. During their time together they enjoyed family outings to the show, and trips taken with Jennie's siblings. Widowed at the age of 48, Jennie spent the remainder of her life living with her son Edward and his wife Anna.

Jennie worked for Corona Products Company until 1988. Following her retirement, she selflessly helped raise Edward and Anna's 5 children. She also enjoyed traveling on bus tours with her good friends to such places as Catalina Island, Hearst Castle, Yosemite and the Queen Mary. 

Jennie was preceded in death by her husband Clemente Becerra, and her siblings Lupe Aguilera, Pedro (Pete) Aguilera, Lucy Medina, Ted Becerra, Francis Corona, and Natie Esquivel. She is survived by her 2 children Helen Herrera (children Cindy (Steve), Johnny (Angie) and Frank) and Edward Becerra (wife Anna, children Paulyne (Hans), Vince (Chari), Veronica, Lisa (Brian), and Michele); brother Gregory Aguilera; 10 great grandchildren who she loved as much as her grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. All whom loved her tremendously for her caring, sweet, and gentle spirit. Although both an orphan and a widow, Jennie was a strong survivor. She had a heart of gold, was deeply loved, and taken care of by the Lord. As Psalm 68:5 tells us, " A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."

A viewing and memorial will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 10 am in Grimes-Akes Family's "Grace Chapel", Corona, California. Burial will follow at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer's San Diego www.alzsd.org 

Arrangements Entrusted To The Care of Grimes-Akes Family Funeral Home, Corona, California. ~ FD818

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