Rachel Q. Ward
December 17, 1956 - July 05, 2019
Mission Viejo CA
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Rachel Q. Ward
December 17, 1956 - July 05, 2019
Mission Viejo CA
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 5th 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
donate
or
Knots of Love who lovingly provide hand-knit caps and blankets for those experiencing traumatic hair loss
remember-and-honor
Celebration Of Life
- Date & Time: July 14, 2019 (7:00 PM)
- Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
- Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 581-4300
Funeral Mass
- Date & Time: July 15, 2019 (10:15 AM)
- Venue: Santiago De Compostela Catholic Church
- Location: 21682 Lake Forest Dr. Lake Forest, CA 92630 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 951-8599
No Charities & Donations
40 responses to Rachel Q. Ward
Erich & Toria Watson says:
July 14, 2019
To Jay, Angela and James
we are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of one so dearly loved and someone so integral to your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Judy Cagley says:
July 14, 2019
Jay, Angela and James,
I am so sorry to hear this. You don’t know me, but Rachel and I were best friends from grades 1 to 6 in La Puente. When our family moved to Northern CA, she came up and visited for a week, and when we moved to Claremont, we still had sleep-overs once in a while as Jr. High students. I was also in the mortgage business for 37 yrs, and we kept up much better with facebook in recent years. I still can’t believe she is gone. Please also give my love to Elvira, Rosa and Celia.
Love from Judy (Mandeville) Cagley
Judy Mandeville Cagley says:
July 14, 2019
Jay, Angela and James,
I am so sorry to hear about Rachel. You don’t know me, but Rachel and I were childhood best friends from grade 1 to 6 in La Puente, when my family moved to Sunnyvale. We were only gone 1 year. but in the summer, Rachel came to visit for a week. When we moved back to Southern Calif to Claremont, we still had occasional sleepovers, the last one I was driving (I was 16). It was much easier to keep in touch lately via facebook. Our families actually ran into each other one year in Yosemite, where they saved our vacation by giving my mom some coffee. You are all in my heart and prayers, and Rachel will always be my best friend! Please also give my love to Elvira, Rosa and Celia.
Love from Judy (Mandeville) Cagley
Kim Maestri says:
July 14, 2019
Rachel will be truly missed at the Elks Lodge. I am so saddened by the sudden loss but I am so honored to say that it was such a pleasure being part of her “Elk” family and having the chance to get to know her. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Ruben De La Cruz says:
July 14, 2019
Jay/Angela/James,
My heart is with you and your family in this tough time. I want to send my condolences and let you know that your family is in my family’s prayers. Your loved one is now with God and watching over you with him. Stay strong! Much love.