Eva Perez

On Wednesday, September 22, 2022 Eva Perez, devoted mother, cherished grandmother, adored sister and aunt, drew her final earthly breath wrapped in the arms of family at her home on Green Valley Rd in Mabton, WA. Eva’s life began on October 1, 1934 in Edinburg, TX, the firstborn child of Joaquin and Maria Reyes. In 1944, the young family moved to Sunnyside, WA, finding work at Sick’s Hop Ranch. She attended Wendell Phillips and Lincoln Schools. The family grew from 3 to 10 children and she was thrust from the role of student to caretaker of her younger siblings. She also worked in the hop fields seasonally with her family. Such responsibility for a youngster was taken without question or complaint and her siblings still marvel at how she managed to be a second mother, farm laborer and house manager at such a young age. The gratitude they have for the care she gave them is immeasurable, as it afforded them opportunities she wasn’t able to have herself. She shared an exceptionally close bond with her parents, visiting daily, never living more than a few miles away. On a visit to Texas in 1949, Eva was introduced to a boy named Federico “Lico” Perez. She caught his eye. When she returned to Washington, Lico started sending letters to her with her cousin, proclaiming his intention to make her his wife. She played coy, but eventually he was able to capture her heart and hand in marriage. They wed on June 23, 1952. She devoted her life to raising their four children, Mary Alice, Reuben, Lydia and Lindy and continued her seasonal work in the hops and grapes. In 1976, she and Lico purchased a home at 1801 Green Valley Rd that was on an acre of hardscrabble, alkaline soil. Eva had a vision for the property. With her tenacity, hard work and infamous stubbornness, she and Lico cultivated it from barren acreage to what Lico called “Their little piece of Heaven on Earth”, which includes a smattering of their woodcraft, from birdhouses, benches, shelves, fencing and the like abloom with a variety of flowers and trees. Evidence of the blood, sweat and tears that have been poured into its transformation can be seen in the collection of soiled, sun-faded garden hats that remain hanging on one of her handmade racks. The home became a family gathering place where the fruits of their labor were enjoyed by many. Having all her family together was the greatest joy of her life. Over the 6 decades she and Lico were married, the family grew to include 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-greatgrandchild, whom she had the privilege of enjoying in her home for the last months of her life. She helped rear each of them, always insisting that family taking care of family was best. She reveled in their accomplishments, enjoyed watching and supporting their activities and encouraged them to achieve their highest potential. They each have treasured memories of her care, fun antics and unconditional love. Eva was in constant awe of the intricacies of nature. She marveled at every bloom, each whisper of the wind, every change of season, her favorite of which was summer when she could bask in the warmth of the sun. The vibrant colors of the sky and formations of the clouds captivated her. She saw amazement in each of God’s creations. She was a woman of prayer and deep faith who devoutly attended Sabbath service and served for decades as church treasurer with her sister Sophia. Her deep love of God and family were rivaled only by her devotion to country. “Made in the USA” was one of her signature mantras. There was always a bright banner of red, white and blue proudly waving in her yard. She loved music and watching people dance. She liked a good chat with her neighbors and cherished time spent with her sisters. She had a good sense of humor and loved laughter. She was very eco-friendly often saying “don’t throw that away, you can still use it!”. She was a vegetarian. She had remarkable physical strength. She was stylish and poised. She was famous for coordinating outfits with Lico. She was also “mom” to more than her biological children - you know who you are. She wouldn’t ’t turn down a good country drive. And she was not likely to pass up a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar or a Pepsi Cola. And “if she knew you were coming, she’d have baked you a cake and hired a band”. Her best friend was her cousin, Bebe Chavez, who was able to travel from Texas with her daughter Sandy to say a final goodbye the week of her death. She was so grateful for that special trip. Eva is survived by her four children: Mary Alice (Fred) Gonzalez of Sunnyside, WA, Reuben (Esmeralda) Perez of Mabton, WA, Lydia (James) Trumble of Whitstran, WA, Lindy (Carlos) Cortez of Grandview, WA, and her K-9 daughter and constant companion Lily Singleterry. 10 grandchildren: Katie (John) Gonzalez-Thorsnes, Emily (Jose) Cardenas, Isaac Perez, Erin Perez, Billy (Candice) Meinecke, Kyle Meinecke, Tristin Trumble, Trina (Baldemar) Cortez, Logan (Erica) Carr, Mia Cortez. Sisters Vicenta Crowe, Sophia (Juan) Salinas, Olivia (Julio) Trevino, Sylvia Reyes, Berta (Dan) Lesch. Brothers Cisco (Susie) Reyes, Jake Reyes, Chris Reyes and Dave Driscoll. Numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her revered parents, Joaquin and Maria Reyes, husband Federico Perez, sister Dora Driscoll and brotherin-law Gary Crowe. Our memories of you will always be the sun that brightens our days. For over 16 years, you bravely bought the blood cancer that eventually claimed your life. Now you are at rest and as you would always say dearest grandma, “Sweet Dreams”. And don’t worry, we won’t forget - 1801 Green Valley Rd (IYKYK). No funeral service is planned at this time. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eva Perez, please visit our flower store.