Obituary

Rachel Quijas Ward passed away on July 5, 2019. She was a beloved wife, mother, aunt, friend, colleague, & so much more to others. She is survived by her husband (Jay), 2 children (Angela & James), sisters (Elvira, Rosa, & Celia), niece & nephew (Andrew & Samantha), & son-in-law (Brett). She was predeceased by her parents (Al & Berta) & her sister (Isela).

Rachel was born on December 17, 1956 in Los Angeles, California to Al & Berta Quijas. She was the 5^th  of 5 daughters (Elvira, Rosa, Isela, & Celia). She grew up in La Puente before moving around Southern Orange County where she worked mostly in the mortgage lending industry. In 1990, she met her future husband through mutual friends on a blind date and the rest is history. They married on September 26, 1992 in Rutland, Vermont. They resided in Mission Viejo, California where they went on to have two children.

It was around the time her children started elementary school that she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. She committed much of her time to Girl Scouts, PTA, dance recitals, & Little League in addition to working part time as a teaching aide for special needs children. She continued working for the school district and volunteering for organizations until 2016 where she returned to the mortgage lending industry at Loan Depot.

She went on to work for 2 ½ more years until retiring in March of 2019 all the while still volunteering now at the Elks Lodge as a treasurer and greeter in addition to Knots of Love where she knitted beanies for cancer patients and helped managed their booth at the Orange County Fair.

Rachel was giving in so many ways & blessed everyone who was privileged to have met her. She was always thinking of ways to help others before herself. She was a devoted wife & mother. She was loved by all who knew her. In her final act of kindness, she donated her organs so that others may live on through her.

Proverbs 31:26 “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

In lieu of flowers, her family requests a donation in Rachel’s name to:

Lovebugs Rescue to help rescue dogs in Southern California
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or

Knots of Love who lovingly provide hand-knit caps and blankets for those experiencing traumatic hair loss
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