Julia Bichama Camarena, 91 years, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend to many, died in the early hours of Dec. 19, 2020. She had been hospitalized and in a rehabilitation center for many months due to leg surgery complications and then contracted COVID-19.
Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Miguel Camarena, and her son, Mike (Liz) Camarena. She is survived by her sons, Manuel Camarena, David (Mary Helen) Camarena, Cleto (Rosalind) Camarena and Roger (Mary Dee) Camarena; and daughters, Frances (Mario) Barragan and Maggie (Danny) Cruz. Maggie had the privilege of being with her mother at the hospital and gifted each sibling with the opportunity to FaceTime so their mom could hear their voices as each said their final good-bye.
Julia was born in Nogales, Sonora on May 23, 1929. After she married, Julia and Miguel lived in both Chandler and Hayden, Arizona. She helped her husband on the ranch and developed a love and many skills caring for the many animals they had on their ranch in Chandler and Dudleyville. She was an avid gardener, a talented seamstress and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. In her later years, she learned to drive and loved her independence and enjoyed transporting friends to the Hayden Senior Center where she enjoyed lunch and the company of many. She was a devout Catholic and attended church regularly. In her home she had an altar for all her saints and said the Rosary daily.
Julia was a kind, strong, hardworking person who faced life and loss with amazing grace. Family was the light of her life and she will be remembered for her love and kindness. She left a beautiful legacy of many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church with visitation at 9 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Mass at 10 a.m. and graveside services following at Mountain View Cemetery. Strict COVID-19 protocols will be followed.