Maria Cedillo

My Sunshine

Miss Maria:

Your laugh, your warmth, your love, and your spirit; all things that we were blessed to receive. Thank YOU for always being MY sunshine, my mommas, my sweetie, my angel. It was my honor to have met you. I miss you already and part of me still can’t believe you aren’t just a phone call away. Your contagious smile will never be forgotten. I know you are in heaven, shining down on all of us. My sincerest sympathy goes to Maria’s family.


God Bless,
Esh

Esh Badruzzaman June 25, 2009

Your Sweet Spirit

Maria,

I haven't seen you since you left Whittier Area FCU about 10 years ago but your sweet voice still clearly rings in my ears. Your warmth and love were perfect for the credit union...and for your family. How terribly unfair that you were taken so soon. How wonderful for all of us to have been able to know such a beautiful spirit.

Your youthful, glowing memory is cemented in so many hearts. Heaven shines even more brightly now that you are there.

May your legacy of singing, playfulness, smiles, love and great guacamole live on throughout eternity.

Michelle Carey

Michelle Carey June 25, 2009

Maria leaves a wonderful legacy that our Members, team and organization will benefit from for years to come. Her cheerful personality, energy, dedication, hard work, enthusiasm and caring ways leave an indelible mark on our organization and on our hearts. Her infectious optimism and smiling face are imprinted on our memory and will remain with us forever. Our love, prayers and gratitude transcend all boundaries and are with her and her family now and always. We are grateful for what she had done but even more so for who she was. We also appreciate greatly her family for sharing her with us. You are all in our prayers.

Rudy Hanley June 25, 2009

A LETTER FROM HEAVEN

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, 'I welcome you.'

'It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.

I need you here so badly, you are part of my plan.
There is so much that we can do, to help our mortal man.'

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you.... in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night....'My day was not in vain.

And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.'

So if you meet somebody who is sad and low;
Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go....
from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going....
you're coming here to be with me
FLY HIGH ANGEL FLY
XXXXXX

Irene June 25, 2009

Letter From Heaven
When tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an Angel came and called my name,
and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind,
all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
from His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,
and all I've promised you".
Today for life on earth is past,
but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day,
there's no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
and now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
and share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.
(Unknown)

Love Mary xxxx

Mary Thong-Garner June 25, 2009

Miss Maria,

Although I don't recall ever properly meeting you, there was always something about your spirit that touched me. I was going to ask if you were a singer...because your speaking voice was so beautiful, so elegant, that I just assumed you had it in you to sing! Whether or not you can sing doesn't matter now...you're singing with the angels, where you're safe and in the Kingdom of God.

I will never forget your "pet names" you gave us for myself and my co-workers. What a way to personalize EVERY phone call and make us feel so welcome and truly worth YOUR time. Your heart and sincerity I will admire for as long as I live.

God bless your family and friends in this sudden tragic time. I pray for strength and guidance in what feels like a nightmare that will never end. We shall seek hope, encouragement and peace. We will be ok. BLESSINGS on the CEDILLO FAMILY.

Katherine McKern June 25, 2009

Maria,

I am so glad we had the opportunity to talk a few weeks ago. Remember, I told you how you were one of the few people who made me a better person, how the beauty of your heart, made a difference in mine and helped me to be a better person. I can still see you blushing from my compliment.

Ahora que te nos adelantastes, Victor, your sisters, and your family are going to need your help from heaven to take care of Eric and Ivan. You were so nervous, but so excited you were going home to be close to your family. I can sure use your example and be closer to my family. And I promise, I will go to the doctor.

Thank you for sharing so much of your life with me, your adventures en Jalos (your home town, which I will visit some day) tu romance con Victor, all the wonderful things your kids did, and don’t worry, they will grow up to be wonderful people, just like you.

You have a beautiful family, and they will miss you forever, and so will I.

I LOVE YOU

Muriel Lopez June 25, 2009

My Dearest Guera,
I still can not believe you are gone. We lost touch some years back but I never forgot about you. Remember when we used to take our daily walks during our lunch hour to lose weight,or the time we went to go see Ricky Martin;man,did we have fun that night yelling and screaming like little school girls.I will never forget our nights out to go see Victor play in his band;we would dance like there was no tomorrow. I can still picture you answering your phone when he would call you at work and you would get so happy;you would always say *Hola Amor* and I would just make fun of you for being so in love. Well that love created two beautiful children that will miss you greatly!

Amiga, te voy ay recordar toda la vida!
-Cynthia Rubio

Cynthia Rubio June 25, 2009

Maria

Everybody has a purpose in life and it is unfortunate that your purpose was fullfilled so quickly.

I will miss you calling me Mr. Robert, Senor Roberto, or Jefe. You were more than an employee, but a part of the family. A family that was blessed with your positive outlook and cheerful demeanor. We are better people because of you.

My heart goes out to your family.
You will be greatly missed.

Robert Martinez June 25, 2009

My Maria

My Maria is a nickname I gave to Maria Cedillo. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason when I would see her I would say “My Maria, how are you today?” or some other clever quip my wee brain could think of. It was just a pet name, I suppose, for a co-worker I liked and admired for her dedication to her job, but more importantly, her commitment to her husband, Victor, and her two young boys, Eric and Ivan. She never tired of talking about her family.

Maria never tired of talking. She had the gift of gab and could talk about any subject at length, in Spanish or English, but they were always enjoyable. Although I could barely understand Spanish, I told her one day I enjoyed listening to her speak in Spanish. It flowed flawlessly and eloquently off her tongue. Obviously, it had a lot to do with being raised in a traditional Mexican-American family which she talked about a lot, too. Nonetheless when Maria spoke Spanish it was a beautiful sound to the appreciating ear.

Maria also had an outgoing, infectious personality. She was always ready for a good time when she could dance and just let her hair down. How she loved dancing to music of any type. Any song that that had a funky beat, Maria danced to it, and often dragged me into it. We were the same age and enjoyed much of the same music from the 1980s. She was the life of the party.

My last conversation with Maria was about her prom date with an 18 year old senior when she was 21. She accompanied him as his date and as a favor to her younger sister; and maybe as a chaperone at her parent‘s request. The guy thought he was going to “score,” Maria’s words, but she set him straight. There wasn’t a second date. We shared a good laugh together.

It’s funny to recall such a silly conversation, but it was the last lengthy conversation we had. Maria was a supervisor and our Riverside team was growing as was her obligations to her team which provided few moments to talk at length. Fewer moments than I had imagined.

Maria was my dance partner and shaking our "groove thangs" together is one of the things I‘ll miss the most. I will also miss our conversations about our families and her guacamole which was a euphemism for how she lived--colorful, spicy and memorable.

Now, she’s gone. The most difficult part is I didn’t get to say goodbye or give her a last hug.

Goodbye my Maria. The hug will have to wait my friend.

"Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the sweetness of a friend is a fragrant forest (Proverbs 27:9)."

It is a privilege to call you friend and an honor to hold your memory in my heart.

Jim Kendall (Friend) June 25, 2009