Jeannette Cabral

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Jeannette Lara Cabral, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and cherished loved ones.

Jeannette was born on April 7, 1937, in San Jose, Costa Rica, to Humberto and Lilia Lara. After her father passed away when she was two, her mother remarried, and the family grew to include her siblings Juan Ramón, Yalile, Bernal, Ricardo, and Ana Marcela. She was raised in a household where her Catholic faith and family were central in her life from an early age.

She attended local schools, excelling in and enjoying math, drawing, and performing in plays. From a young age, Jeannette developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation—spending countless hours outdoors playing with her cousins and going on trips with her mother and siblings to favorite Costa Rican parks and beaches. She treasured time with both her paternal and maternal grandmothers, as well as her many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

After completing her studies in general administration, business, and clerical work, Jeannette began her career in January 1958 with the government of Costa Rica, working in the Supreme Tribunal of Elections. She spent several years there before being given the opportunity to come to the United States as a permanent resident in March 1963.

With family and friends already in California, Jeannette first settled in San Francisco, later moving to Los Angeles, where she worked for Bank of America, Union Pacific Bank, and Security Pacific Bank. While in Los Angeles, she met Frank B. Cabral of Oxnard, California, and they married in 1969. Following their marriage, she moved to Oxnard, where over the next decade they welcomed four children: Santos, Melissa, Kimberly, and Frances.

Jeannette’s priorities in life were her family and her Catholic faith. Santa Clara Catholic Parish and Santa Clara Elementary School became an extension of her family. For nearly 60 years, she prayed, served, and nurtured friendships at Santa Clara Parish. She was a devoted member of the Santa Clara Prayer Group and Bible Study led by Father Barney Gatlin, where she formed lifelong bonds with friends who walked beside her in faith. With them, she traveled to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico and attended Pope Saint John Paul II’s visit to Los Angeles in 1987.

Jeannette was actively involved in her children’s school life at Santa Clara Elementary School, volunteering at fundraising events such as the annual carnival, where she helped with everything from overseeing the bake shop to selling raffle tickets. During this time, she became a regular weekday Mass attendee and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at both daily and Sunday Masses. She faithfully practiced the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the First Saturday Fatima Hour, and participated in charismatic Catholic prayer groups at Cristo Rey and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Churches, as well as rosary groups—many of which she graciously hosted in her home for more than a decade. In her later years, she joined the local Pro-Life movement through the 40 Days for Life Campaign, praying and advocating for the unborn.

Jeannette shared her faith with those she loved—and anyone who would listen—encouraging them to keep Jesus and Our Blessed Mother close to their hearts through Sunday Mass and devotions such as the Holy Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. She seized every opportunity to guide her children and grandchildren in the Catholic faith, inspiring them through her example and unwavering devotion.

Early family vacations with Frank took her to San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Mexico, Alaska, and Canada. She also made it a priority to take her children to Costa Rica when they were young so they could visit relatives, family friends, and connect with their heritage. Later in life, Jeannette continued to travel the world with her family. She visited Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Rome with her son Santos; embarked on a cruise to the Bahamas, St. Martin, and Martinique with her daughters Kimberly and Frances; went on a pilgrimage to Egypt and the Holy Land with Kimberly—including even ziplining through the Costa Rican rainforest; and, most recently, enjoyed a trip to Hawaii with Kimberly, Frances, and her family.

Jeannette found peace and joy in the wonders of God’s creation—tending her garden, which included an assortment of plants and flowers, her favorite red roses, avocado, and chirimoya trees; walking at the beach park and feeding the ducks with her grandchildren; and caring for the family dogs, Melody and Shyla. She loved music, singing, listening to, and dancing to boleros from her parents’ era, often sharing playful dances in the kitchen with her daughters. She delighted in cooking—and teaching her daughters how to cook—a variety of dishes, including Costa Rican specialties, and in baking birthday cakes for her children. Though Costa Rican by heritage, she was also known for her delicious Mexican tamales and her spicy homemade salsa. Every moment spent in her home or in nature reflected the warmth, love, and joy she shared with all who knew her.

Mom’s life was a blessing to everyone who knew her, especially her family. Though we know our time on earth is temporary, we are deeply grateful to God for blessing us with such a loving mother who always put her family first and never stopped guiding us along the way.

Jeannette is survived by her children, Santos, Melissa, Kimberly, and Frances, and by her son-in-law, Mike Morales. One of her greatest joys was being “Tita” (grandmother) to her two grandchildren, Noah and Isabella Morales. She is also survived by her former husband, Frank B. Cabral; her siblings, Yalile (José), Bernal (Maricela), Ricardo, and Ana Marcela; and many nieces, nephews, and other members of her large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Humberto and Lilia, her brother Juan Ramón, and her great-nephew Freddy.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeannette Cabral, please visit our floral store.