BERNAL, Angelita

Parker Pioneer, Parker, Arizona - Published on March 2, 2011 - Angelita Bernal, 96, a long time resident of Parker, Arizona passed from this life Feb. 18, 2011 and reunited with her husband Roman and son Jacob, where they will spend eternity with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Angelita "Angie" was born on Nov. 19, 1914 in Yuma and was the fourth of ten children born to Rafael Romo and Josefa Mariscal McClish. She was raised in Yuma until the age of five when her parents packed up the family belongings into two wagons, with cattle in tow and headed out into the desert to start a new life. They settled in Parker, where they were among the first families to colonize and farm the valley land. Angie was placed in an Indian boarding school where she attended through the 1920's. In 1929, she moved to Phoenix where she completed her schooling and in 1933, at the age of 19, she married her handsome sweetheart Roman Bernal. Together they worked hard to begin their family with the birth of their daughter Rufina and son Jacob. It was at this time that Angie began building a foundation for her family that was built on love, honor, respect and hard work that would eventuality become a legacy of 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and to-date, 10 great-great grandchildren. In 1949 Angie and Roman moved to their final home in Parker, Arizona to become farmers and continue to raise their family. In the years that followed Angie dedicated her time to many community development programs including involvement in many C.R.I.T. activities, the Parker DOEs, Fair Board and Fair Commissioner, Community Action Projects and many more programs - all with the focus of helping others - both children and adults alike. In 1956 Angie became one of the first 4-H leaders in the Parker Valley. Angelita will always be remembered for her grace, kindness and elegance. In 1994, almost 80 years old, Angie entered her first beauty pageant in Tucson, Ariz., where she was awarded "Most Elegant." From the humble beginnings of an abandoned Poston barracks that served as her family's first home in Parker, to a world traveler, Angie lived her live with dignity and grace and demonstrated unwavering love, strength and commitment to those around her. Angelita Bernal devoted her life to giving the best things that life has to offer, she gave hope, faith, friendship and love. But her most precious gift was the strength and love that laid the foundation of her family. The family of Angelita Bernal: Rufina Allen, Ralph Bernal, Christine Fierros, Raymond Bernal, Joe Bernal and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will gather together on Feb. 25, in final honor of our beloved matriarch as we celebrate her life, her memory and her love - and it is with great difficulty and heavy hearts that we will say goodbye ... for now.