Jennie H. Valenzuela

Jennie was born in Moorpark on June 23, 1920. Her parents were Joe Hernandez, Jr., and Petra Romero Hernandez, and she is the granddaughter of Joe Hernandez, Sr., an early Moorpark pioneer. She attended grammar school and graduated from Moorpark High School. She married Alfonso ("Blue") Valenzuela in 1942 and they had four children. Jennie was very active in Holy Cross Catholic Church and was one of the original Spanish-speaking organizers of the Woman's Alter Society. The Alter Society was responsible for many of the fundraisers that the church held every year. They Organized the yearly carnival at Oak Park and one of the most popular booths there was the taco booth which sold homemade tacos prepared on site. Jennie was one of the ladies in charge of recruiting and organizing the volunteers for not only the taco booth but also the various other booths. Jennie enjoyed participating as a class mom, making cupcakes and cookies for the various classes that her kids attended at Flory School. The school could also count on Jennie and her volunteers to be there year after year for the school carnival. Besides her many responsibilities at home Jennie also found time to be a Cub Scout den mother because there was a need for one in Walnut Canyon. Both Jennie and Blue were members of the American Legion and there again Jennie was involved in the yearly American Legion Ladies Axillary poppy drive and various other events and fundraisers. Jennie was one of the first people Mr. Ruben Castro called when he was initially forming his vision for the Pantry. After meeting with Mr. Castro (who she had known as a little boy working at his father's market on Main Street) Jennie promptly got on the telephone to her many lady friends to ask for their help. Mr. Castro knew that Jennie would be willing to help and she was very reliable. If she couldn't be at the Pantry on the day she was scheduled to be there she would always call on one of her friends to fill in for her. Jennie has lived in Moorpark for 95 years and she has seen the many changes "my little town" has gone through. She has led a very rewarding life by giving of her time and efforts to others so that they too know that they are valued. She always kept up with local events by reading the Acorn and Star. A visitation for Jennie will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 5-9pm with the Rosary beginning at 7pm located at the Perez Family Funeral Home Chapel, 1347 Del Norte Road in Camarillo. The family will have a Reception gathering following the Rosary. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 10:00AM located at Holy Cross Church in Moorpark. Burial will follow at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park (Garden of Valor) in Westlake. Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is the Perez Family Funeral Home in Camarillo. Tel: (805) 983-3457 Please sign Jennie's memorial at www.MoorparkMortuary.com