Lucy Jane Arrietta

Our mom was a Godly woman — truly a follower of Christ. She was raised Baptist, but she never focused on labels. Her life was centered on following, worshiping, praising, and thanking our Savior. She was a light on His path of redemption and love. Lucy Jane Pacheco was born in Ventura, California, on February 23, 1933, and went home to be with our Lord on September 28, 2025, at the age of 92.She was the third child of Francisco and Esther Pacheco, and grew up with her siblings Emma, Flora, Mary, Frank, and Ruth in Oxnard. When Lucy was about nine years old, a close family friend named Anita lost her younger sister. Anita worked full-time, leaving her mother, Prajeritos, alone and heartbroken. It was decided that Lucy would go live with Anita and her mother in Los Angeles to help and be raised as Anita’s daughter. During those years, Mom had her own room, toys, nice clothes, and even took piano lessons — something that would become a lifelong joy for her. Even while she lived with Anita, my Grandpa Pacheco would bring Mom’s sisters to visit her almost every day after school. Though they were in different homes, their family bond stayed strong. Grandpa often reminded Mom that she could come home anytime she wanted — and she did, at 17.The story goes that her return had something to do with a certain young man named Samuel Jackson Arrietta. Anita, being strict, didn’t allow dating, so Mom made the call, and Grandpa came to bring her home. Mom and Dad had their first date on April 22, 1949, at a church banquet. There was a piano contest that night — and of course, Mom won! Dad showed up in his Grandpa Jackson’s suit, and after the banquet they took a walk in Hollenbeck Park. I’m sure Dad would have said he was the real winner that day. At one point, Mom considered breaking up with Dad, but Grandpa Pacheco loved him so much that he told her, “If you break up with Sam, you can’t date anyone else!” Needless to say, that sealed the deal.