Benedicta "Bene" Motta, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose unconditional love touched generations, passed away surrounded by loved ones on August 22, 2026, in Fresno, California. Bene was the daughter of the late Juan and Margarita Zavala.

     Born on March 28, 1936 near Matehuala, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Bene came to the United States as a young girl, her family among the many who made their way as migrant farm workers in the United States. As the oldest daughter of eight children, Bene took care of her brothers and sisters and those around her from an early age, and continued to do so throughout her life. She met and married her beloved husband, Jesús "Chuy" Motta. They settled in Fresno, California, in a little white house on Woodrow Avenue with a lemon tree and roses. They raised their boys in a strict but loving home, rooted in family and community.

     Bene will be remembered as a loving person whose door was always open at any time of the day or night. For many decades, and from one generation to the next, children and grandchildren, friends, compadres and comadres, came to Bene’s house to be cared for and to share in her joy for life. She cooked a meal for anyone who visited, whether they were hungry or not. She made up a warm and comfortable bed for anyone who needed a place to stay – whether for one night, several weeks or even months. She will be remembered by family and friends as always ready to lend a hand, driving her children and their children to school and to work, to football practices and to doctor’s appointments. She was the one person everyone could count on.

     We will remember the sounds of laughter from her kitchen over the Spanish music playing on her little radio, the smell of tortillas on the comal, the constant ringing of the phone as one person after another called to talk to Bene. Bene touched every one of us and made us feel special, and her legacy will live on in our hearts and memories.

     Bene is survived by her sons, Rolando Motta and Jesús "Chuy" Motta, both of Fresno, California; her grandchildren, Jessie Motta, Nikko Motta, Nikolas Motta, and Vanessa Motta; and her great-grandchildren, Adriana Garcia, Aileen Garcia, Beaux Garcia, Eliana Neva Motta, Jaxon Rolando Motta, and Malachi Miles Motta.

     She is also survived by her siblings: Audelia Bazan of Waxahachie, TX; Guadalupe “Lupe” Zavala of Sanger, CA; and José “Joe” Zavala of Fresno, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesús Motta; her parents, Juan and Margarita Zavala; her stepmother, Teresa Zavala; her brothers, Fernando Zavala, Francisco Zavala, and Heliodoro "Leo" Zavala; and her sister, Margarita Valdez.

     A rosary will be held on Thursday October 29, 2026, at 6pm at Wallin Sanger Funeral Home.

     Flowers may be sent to Wallin Sanger Funeral Home, or memorial gifts may be made in Bene's name to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.