GUERRA, Petra

Petra Sierras Guerra entered the world on August 24, 1909 and entered into eternal peace on June 6, 2003. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pedro Matas Sierras and Elena Valdez Sierras, and brothers and sisters Manuel Sierras, Carmen Romero, Anna Romero and Greg Sierras. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, NANA to all. Loved greatly by family and friends, she will be missed. She is survived by her husband John and children Lucy Arce (Gilbert), John Jr., (Margie), Alfonso (Alicia), Gilbert (Diane), Velia Bermudez, Arnold (Jacqueline), Mary Helen Rosell, Arthur (Mary), Sylvia Helmick (Frank), Olivia Hughes (Scott) and 30 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren. Petra was born and spent her early childhood on a ranch in Reddington, AZ, later moving to the Hayden AZ area. She married John Enriquez Guerra in 1929. They moved to Los Angeles, CA for two years before settling in Phoenix in 1943. She was active in her local neighborhood, church and was a volunteer walking door to door for the March of Dimes. Petra raised ten children and instilled her Catholic values and family tradition in every one of them. She cooked, sewed and gardened and unselfishly gave up her time to help her grandchildren. She was devoted to her husband and always placed his needs before hers. She was always here for us, whenever we needed her as our wise, nurturing and loving Mother. She never complained of being tired and did not ask for more, always grateful to God for what she had. Her kitchen, always open for family and friends, with good conversation and stories from the old days. Mother, we will remember you in love and let you go to rest in eternal peace. Your legacy of love and wonderful family memories will always be a part of our lives. Every sunrise and every sunset will remind us of your beautiful smile and from our hearts we will keep your spirit alive knowing that someday we will all be together in God's heavenly world. Visitation will be held at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ from 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 with Rosary being held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Sienna, 6401 S. Central on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 at 12:00 noon. Interment at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., Phoenix, AZ. Published in The Arizona Republic from 6/9/2003 - 6/10/2003.