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Sofia Berumen Mendoza, 91, passed away on May 5, 2024, at her home in Superior, AZ, surrounded by her loving family, after a sudden and brief illness.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and great friend to many. She was known for her great smile, special warmth, love, and kind and caring nature. She loved her family, friends, and her Superior and Ray/Sonora communities. She especially loved spending time passing on family cooking and baking recipes with her grandchildren, knitting and crocheting blankets and other items for family and friends, watching baseball (especially the Diamondbacks, of course), and supporting the various Superior sporting events cheering on the teams.
She went through her illness with dignity and strength, always leaving herself in God’s hands, and knowing He was there with her. She will be missed.
She was born Oct. 28, 1932, in El Ahuichote, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Jesus and Esther Berumen. In her teen years she moved to Sonora, AZ, where she later met and married husband Richard M. Mendoza. She was proud to have come from Mexico, and also to have become a US citizen in 1968. She brought smiles with her special “Spanglish” she famously spoke without hesitation throughout her life!
Through the years she helped her husband run the family business, Mendoza Vending. She also was a special face making pizzas and food at Edwardo’s Pizzeria.
Sofia is survived by her loving children, daughter, Anna M. Mendoza, sons, Rogelio (Lilia), and Edward Mendoza; grandchildren, Heather, Christine, Roberto, and Richard Mendoza, and Lindsey Lundquist (Melissa); and great-grandchildren, Damien-Michael Edward and Lilia Maricela Mendoza, and Tristan and Harlee Lundquist. She also leaves behind sisters, Lidia, Eva, Ophelia, Olivia; brother, Gilbert; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Sofia was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents, Esther and Jesus Berumen; brother, Jesus; sisters, Mary Lou and Yolanda Berumen; and grandmother, Juanita Diaz-Gonzalez.
Celebration of Life services will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024, at St. Francis Church, 490 Main Street, Superior, AZ 85173. Viewing is at 8 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 9 a.m. A celebration luncheon will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Center, 100 W. Sunset Drive, Superior.
Per Sofia’s wishes, following the services she will be cremated, with a private burial of her ashes at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Francis Church.
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