BALDERAS, Lucy C.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Thursday, April 3, 2003 Lucy C. Balderas, 95, of Glendale, AZ passed away on March 30th, 2003. Lucy was born on February 14, 1908 to Maria Avila and Catarino Cardenas in Anaheim, CA during a family vacation. (She always liked to say she was born in an orange grove, probably where Disneyland is now.) Her family lived in Williams, AZ. Lucy's father passed away in Jerome, AZ, while working in the mines, leaving her mother to raise Lucy, sister Lola and brother , Mike. Lucy graduated from Williams High School. Shortly after, she met Sal, Sr. They both played in a band; she playing piano and he the saxophone and mandolin. They married and started their business by building a motel, cabin by cabin, and also owned a service station. They moved to Phoenix in 1945 and continued in various businesses. In the sixties, they bought the Paradise Grove Mobile Home Park and moved to Glendale, AZ. Lucy achieved much in her life. She was a member of the Women's Club in Williams, Phoenix, and Glendale. receiving a 50 year member award plaque. In Phoenix she attended St. Mary's Church and was a member of St. Mary's High School Mother's Club. She also was a charter member of the Vesta Club. In Glendale, she attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and played piano and sang with the "Guadalupanas" in the Old Chapel. She also leaves a legacy of her beautiful creations, knitting and crocheting. Every member of her family has a beautiful afghan. Lucy always said her greatest accomplishment was her family. She and her husband Sal Sr. were married for 62 years. Sal Sr. predeceased her in 1988 and soon after, her brother Mike Cardenas and sister Lola Martin-Corona. Her survivors are daughter, Aurora (Joe) Acosta and son, Sal Jr. (Dora)Balderas, foster sister, Teresa Sandoval, 11 grandchildren and 7 great-granchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 5th, 2003 at St. Mary's Basilica, 230 E. Monroe St. beginning with viewing from 9-10am, Rosary at 10am, with Funeral Mass celebrated at 10:30am. Internment at St. Francis cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to St. Mary's Basilica Preservation Fund, 230 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, AZ, 85004 in memory of Lucy and Sal Balderas, Sr. Arrangements made by Whitney and Murphy Funeral Home. Please park in the Diocese parking lot, 5th St & Monroe. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.