Rachel Pedraza

Rachel Pedraza departed her loving family on September 2, 2022. Raquel Patrocinio Rodriguez Machado was born in Torreon, Coahuila Mexico on September 15, 1939, to Manuel and Encarnacion Rodriguez. In the early ‘60’s, Rachel visited relatives in Oxnard and decided to stay and work. Unbeknownst to her, her future husband, Gilbert Pedraza, lived across the street. Like Rachel, Gilbert was also a transplant to Oxnard. They would go on to marry in holy matrimony on December 19, 1962, at St. Ignatius Church in El Paso, Texas. Rachel was mother to Roseann, Linda, Gloria, Gilbert Jr., David, and Diana. She raised her children with love and devotion in Oxnard with her husband Gilbert. Rachel is survived by her six children, twenty-two Grandchildren and many Great-Grandchildren. Aside from the children she doted on, Rachel is survived by her sisters Matilde, Rita, Mona, and Letty.

Rachel worked seasonal throughout her years in Ventura County at Stokley Van-Camp, Oxnard Frozen Foods, Terminal Freezers Inc, and Heublein. In 1992, and after the passing of her beloved husband, Rachel returned to El Paso and remained living there for 29 years. During this time, Rachel worked for the El Paso State Center as a Food Service worker. After retirement, she remained active by participating in various line dancing groups, aquatic aerobics, and playing her favorite card game “Cadillac”. Rachel was a parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church in El Paso, where she was an active member of the “Liturgia de las Horas” Ministry. She loved to sing the Liturgy of the Hours followed by the Chaplet of Our Lady of Guadalupe, then participate in mass. In September 2020 she relocated permanently to Ventura, where she began attending Sacred Heart Church and joined “Proclaim” Ministry in Bible Sharing and faith formation studies.

She enjoyed sharing her transformation and healing testimony with individuals God put in her path. She attended daily mass, several retreats and participated in various pilgrimages. In the short time at Sacred Heart Church, Rachel made many wonderful friends and found a new family in Christ.

Viewing will be held Wednesday, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., September 14th, at Camino del Sol Funeral Home, with recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Thursday, 10:00 a.m., September 15th, at Sacred Heart Church, Ventura, with a reception follow.

A private graveside service will take place at Santa Clara Cemetery, Oxnard.

Rachel’s family would like to express gratitude to Angel of God Hospice and Servants of Mary for their excellent care, compassion, and support that were provided to Rachel and her family. For map, directions to ceremony locations, to sign the family’s online

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