Delia Cabral Batista

Our beautiful mother, our “Corazon Valiente,” Delia Cabral Batista, was called home to God on May 23, 2024 after 97 years, 8 months, 20 days. She is survived by her beloved children, Cecelia Gaucin Summers, Marissa Gaucin, Alma Batista, Bettina Batista, Tino Batista and Andres Batista; her grandchildren Jessica Bravo Rios, Gabrielle Batista, Christian Batista, Isabella Alexander, Illeana Alexander, Sebastian Batista; her delightful great-granddaughter, Elise Rios.

Delia was born in Calexico, CA on September 3, 1926, the 11th child of Maria Perez and Julio Cabral. She was a quiet, intelligent young woman who excelled in school and enjoyed being a band and orchestra member. After graduation, she worked her way up from retail employment to becoming a legal secretary. Over the years she realized working hard and education were important in order to support her family and give them the opportunities she didn’t have. In 1974, she attended Imperial Valley College at night after working all day at the Calexico Neighborhood House. Within a few years, she earned an AA degree and applied to the SDSU-Calexico campus to continue her college career where she earned her B.S degree and graduated with honors. At the age of 50, she further pursued her education, moving the family to San Diego after being accepted to the Master’s Program at SDSU San Diego. We were so proud of our mother and she was proud of herself for persevering in the pursuit of a higher education. Delia began working for the San Diego Superior Conciliation Court as a Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor. It was a difficult job as she had to deal with divorcing parents and child custody issues, but she found satisfaction in helping families reach a parenting goal. After ten years with the County, she applied to be a counselor for the Sweetwater Unified School District; she remained with the district until she retired at the remarkable age of 82 in 2008. She loved her job and enjoyed the comradery with her peers and helping students of all ages.

Our mother inspired us and encouraged us to aspire to higher education – all of her children completed their 4 year degrees and some went further in pursuit of their masters degrees. Mom loved to read – she read everything from books to financial magazines and recipes. She never stopped learning and supporting her children and her grandchildren. She loved us fiercely; everything she did was for us as we were her pride and joy. Her happiest moments were when surrounded by her family, enjoying home cooked food and baked goods from scratch. Many times, she was the life of a party and could dance all night or carry on an erudite discussion about finances, politics, history. A devout Catholic, she was a parish member at St. Pius X in Chula Vista, going to Mass and attending her prayer group.

A Rosary and Catholic Mass is scheduled at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary. Rosary: June 17, 2024, 6pm -9 pm. Catholic Mass / Chapel of Roses: June 18, 2024, 10 am – 11:00. Graveside service: 11:30 am. Reception: 12:30pm -2:30pm.