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Obituary for Dionicia 'Nicha' Vasquez
Dionicia Nicha Vasquez1928-2009
With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Dionicia Nicha Vasquez: matriarch of the Vasquez family. Nicha passed away peacefully at her home Aug. 29, 2009 after a long illness. She was 80 years young.
Born Oct. 9, 1928 in Scotts Bluff, Neb., Nicha was one of seven children born to Francisco Frank and Rosa Maria Granado. Her family moved from Nebraska to Vacaville in 1948.
Nicha Granado met John Vasquez Sr. in 1946 when her family was visiting relatives in the area. The couple began dating in 1948 when the Granado family settled in Vacaville. Nicha and John married March 25, 1950 and enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage.
Early in her career, Nicha worked at the Nut Tree for more than nine years in the candy factory and the salad kitchen, making Bunny Powers special fruit salad.. She also picked seasonal produce in the agricultural fields.
Nicha and her sister-in-law, Ramona Granado, owned and operated El Palomar Restaurant for three years..
In 1976, John and Nicha opened the popular Vasquez Deli, a Vacaville landmark. The family moved the restaurant from McClellan to East Main Street in 2005, naming the building, Dionicia Building, in her honor. The state of California honored the Vasquez Deli on May 30, 2006 with a Salute to Small Business award.
Nicha was a loving wife, devoted mother and doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She cheered for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at hundreds of their sporting events, including T-ball games; wrestling, tennis and soccer matches; track and swim meets; basketball, softball and fast-pitch games; and bowling competitions..
She eagerly supported her son John Jr. in his successful bids for Vacaville City Council and the Solano County Board of Supervisors and cheered the many other accomplishments of her extended family.
She and John passed on their dedication to the community to their four children: sons John Jr., George, Donald and Mark.. Together the Vasquez family has donated innumerable hours to the city, enhancing recreational facilities and participating in local events and fundraisers through their businesses or personal contributions.
Nicha enjoyed cooking family meals in celebration of holidays, birthdays and special events. She often cooked for the wrestling team; she would make trays of enchiladas for the team and coaches. Kind, thoughtful and considerate, she would prepare meals for many community service organizations.
Nicha and her family participated in Vacavilles Fiesta Days Parade and Fiesta celebrations for more than 46 years. The Vasquez Family Float, a highlight of the annual parade, continues to win sweepstakes honors. Nicha orchestrated the float preparations.
Nicha and John and their family were grand marshals of the 1988 Fiesta Days Parade, selected by the Vacaville Fiesta Days Committee for their dedication to the community. She and John also were honored at Vacavilles 2002 Tribute to Seniors. Nicha was a longtime member of the Vacaville Fiesta Days Committee and member of the Ladies of the Elks as well as Women of the Moose.
Nicha was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Rosa Maria Granado, her brother Pedro, her sister Carmen and her brother Alfonso.
She is survived by her loving husband John Sr.; her four sons, John Jr. (Shelli) Vasquez; George (Tracy) Vasquez; Donald (Nancy) Vasquez; and Mark (Julie) Vasquez, all of Vacaville; her three sisters, Emilia Perez of Fresno, Rosie Arguijo of Nipomo and Ramona Rodriguez of Vacaville; 13 grandchildren: John (LaVonna) Vasquez, Mary (Rene) Vasquez Pimentel, Kristy Vasquez, Sarah Vasquez, Josephine (Freddy) Aguayo, Amanda Vasquez, Molly Vasquez, Megan Vasquez, Donny Vasquez, Christopher (Tracy) Vasquez, Kevin Vasquez, Rosamaria Vasquez and soon-to-be-born Francisco Vasquez; seven great-grandchildren, Ciana and Alejandro Vasquez Pimentel; Marisa, Joseph and Daniel Aguayo; and Christopher and Carlo Vasquez, as well as an uncle, aunts, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Our mother was a mother to many, including Bill (Julie) and Roy Jacks.
Nicha Vasquez was not only the matriarch of our family but was loved, respected and cherished by all who knew her. She will be remembered forever in our hearts.
A rosary and visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 at St. Marys Catholic Church, 350 Stinson Ave., Vacaville; the rosary begins at 7 p.m. A visitation is set for 8:30 to 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 11 in McCunes Garden Chapel, 212 Main St.
A Catholic Mass in Nichas honor will be held at St. Marys Church at 12 noon on Friday, Sept. 11. Graveside services and burial will follow at the VacavilleElmira Cemetery.
McCunes Garden Chapel (707) 448-6546 is coordinating funeral arrangements. An online guest book and obituary can be found at www.mccunechapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Nichas name be made to St. Marys Catholic Church B.O.C.O.T.T. Fund (Building Our Church of Tomorrow Today), 350 Stinson Ave., Vacaville, Calif., 95688, and/or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Va., 22312 or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).
