Maria Raquel Anjelita Lozano

Maria Raquel Anjelita Lozano, passed away peacefully at age 82 on January 25th, 2019 after a lengthy illness in Santa Paula, CA.

Mary, as she was known, was born June 27, 1936 in Gallup New Mexico to parents Jose Silva and Trinidad Castillo.  She spent her youth as their adored eldest child and only daughter.  She had 3 brothers Joseph (Pete), Greg and John Silva.

She shared many fond memories of growing up in Gallup and living in an adobe home that her mother helped build. She loved music and as a small child participated in the Native American Cultural ceremonies, though mother and father family lineage is descendent from northern Spain and Portugal.

She was a student at Sacred Heart Cathedral School and attended mass at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in Gallup, NM.

After a brief illness, her father unexpectedly passed away in 1952.  At the urging of her Aunt Lucy, the family relocated to Oxnard California.  Her mother and Aunt Lucy soon purchased and operated the “Nite Owl Café” on Oxnard Blvd.  It was a popular spot for off-duty service members to eat and it wasn’t long before she caught the eye of Seaman 1st Class - Narciso “Nick” Lozano.

She was the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen and he was captivated.  He set out to charm her ever-protective mother so that he would be allowed to date Mary.  The strategy worked and in 1955 they were married.

Mary and Nick moved at brief times throughout the first 8 years they were married and returned to Ventura County in 1962 to eventually raise 6 kids.

The family lived in Pt. Hueneme, eventually moving to Oxnard where they purchased their first home.  She went to work for Point Mugu Navy Exchange in food service running a small beach hut restaurant. Her work ethics, friendliness and talent for “cooking the best burgers and sandwiches” made “the Canteen” a popular destination for the engineers, service members and surfers visiting the base.

There were some devastating heartaches that she and Nick endured with the illness and loss of their eldest daughter Mary Ann.  Though grief-stricken, mom was faithful, strong and did everything within her ability to restore the family’s closeness.  In 2000, the family lost Linda Diane, second oldest daughter, to a long illness.

Mom was kind and patient with the many family friends that made her home the meeting place for fixing cars, rowdy garage beer-a-thons and birthday parties.  She was known for cooking her famous beans, salsas and the legendary “survival biscuits”!

Lady Luck smiled on her when the purchase of a few “scratch-off” tickets resulted in a chance at “The Big Spin”.  The trip to Sacramento for the “Big Spin” netted her a $100,000 jackpot. Most of the proceeds were put into savings, except a small amount to do some of the long-awaited home improvements that she wanted.

After retirement, she traveled to Hawaii and had time to do crafts, gardening and spend time with all her grandchildren. She loved cooking for them and they loved her cooking, everybody did. Being a good, nurturing and protective parent was important to her.  

She was called the “Pillar of the Community” by her husband when she joined the Neighborhood watch and would host the safety meeting in her home.

Even though she had a shy, reserved manner, she was surprisingly quick-witted and had a sense of humor. 

Her greatest love was her grandchildren, they loved and respected her and have many great memories of the years past.

In 2017 she lost her Husband, the love of 62 years to a very brief illness, as her health was declining.

She moved to Santa Paula, CA. in 2018 to live under the care of her loving son Michael, wife Beverly and family.  Lauren Rodriquez, her eldest granddaughter was dedicated to providing expert caregiving for her grandmother, with the support of Candace Lozano, also a granddaughter.

Our family is eternally grateful for the team of caregivers, doctors, nurses, CNA’s and friends that gave so much of themselves to assure mom’s safety, comfort and well-being. 

We are comforted knowing that mom’s passing was peaceful, gentle, absent of any pain and that she rests safely now in the presence of our Lord Jesus.

She was proceeded in death by her father Jose Andres Silva and mother Trinidad Castillo, husband N. Nick Lozano, daughters Maria Anna Lozano and Linda D. Lozano

She is survived by sons Nick R. Lozano and wife Deborah Sue, Michael R. Lozano and wife Beverly, daughters Debra L. Lay and husband John, Sandra L. McCluskey and husband Joed.

Grandchildren Lauren Rodriguez and husband Johnny, Candace, Ciarra R. Walleen and husband Erikson- Nalu, Lindsey R. Vermeulen and husband Clark, Kyle R. McCluskey,  Nick V. Lozano and Mathew J. Lozano, Austin M. Lay, Julia Sky Lay

Great Grandchildren are Samual Burnham, Charlotte Rodriguez, Luke Rodriguez, Laka Walleen, Siri Wallen, Eivan Walleen, Hazley Vermeulen.