Ofelia Paredes of Gilroy, California passed away on June 10, 2022 at the age of 93. Born in Pecos, Texas to Agustine and Luz Villalobos, Ofelia was the oldest daughter of 11 children, often helping care for her younger siblings. When she was 15, her family moved to Gilroy, off Rucker Avenue, and began working the land. She worked on her parents' property driving a tractor and harvesting many crops.

Ofelia worked at Gentry's for 15 years and met her husband and love of her life, Jess. They were married at St. Mary's and Ofelia became a stay-at-home mom to her five children. Jess and Ofelia worked hard to give their children the best opportunities and good values, sending all five to Catholic elementary and high schools. They eventually settled on Hanna Street where she lived until her passing in 2022.

Though she is gone, her legacy lives on in those left behind. She is survived by her children: Belinda Gutierrez (Pete), Rafael J. Paredes Jr. (Susana), Lori Villa (Ernie), Christopher Paredes (Debbie), and Anna Brinkman (Steve); her grandchildren: Adam Paredes, Nina Sanchez (Armando), Pete Landeros (Tatiana), Karlina Fulk (Bradley), Marc Vegas, Rafael Paredes III, Amanda Paredes, Eric Vegas, Stina Paredes, Maggie Brinkman and twelve great grandchildren; her sisters Carol Engebretson, Linda Kobashi, Alice Trinklein; her brother Stanley Villalobos; Birgitte Paredes, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Rafael Jess Paredes, parents Agustine and Luz Villalobos, her brothers Agustine, Raymond, Robert, Manuel, Wilfred Villalobos and her sister Cipriana Martinez.

The loss of our family's matriarch has left a void which is felt deeply by each of us who miss her. Her love for us and our memories of her will sustain us until we meet her again.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Good Samaritan Hospital especially the Respiratory Therapy Department who took extra good care of her in her final days.