Mrs. Ofelia Munoz Ybarra passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 12, 2025. She was 98 years old. Born in Donna, Texas to Epitacio Munoz and Modesta Garza, she was preceded in death by her husband Estanislado Bueno Ybarra, her brothers, Adan Munoz, Antonio Munoz, Santiago Munoz and sisters Leonarda Munoz and Emilia Esquivel. Ofelia migrated from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to California in 1951, with her husband and children. Arriving in California, they lived in Parlier, Reedley and finally settled in Sanger, where they worked in agriculture as farm laborers. Eventually, Ofelia found work in area packing houses and canneries and retired from H.P. Metzler and Sons, where she was a forelady.

Ofelia was only 9 years old when her mother died of tuberculosis. She was taken in and raised by her oldest brother Adan and his wife Paula. As a child, Ofelia attended Runn Elementary School in the rural area of Donna,Texas, because Mexican-American children were not allowed to attend the white only schools in town. She loved school, loved to read, and she recalled reading whatever she could find. Her love for school was brought to an abrupt end in the second grade when she was told she could no longer attend school and had to stay home to help with chores. Despite this, Ofelia was still able to teach herself to read and write in both English and Spanish. She was very proud when her daughter Dr. Lea Ybarra graduated from U.C. Berkeley with her PhD. She was equally proud when her daughter Melva Ybarra-Garcia graduated with her Master's degree from San Francisco State University and her son Tanis Ybarra Jr. completed his BA degree from CSU Sacramento and his graduate work from the University of San Francisco. Throughout the years Ofelia has always been very supportive of her children and grandchildren's education and accomplishments.

Ofelia was active politically and was a strong supporter of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union, whether it was walking picket lines or boycotting grapes, lettuce or wine companies. She participated in several of the historic UFW marches, beginning in 1966 when she joined the UFW march walking from Fresno to Sacramento. She also participated in many voter registration drives, with her children by her side, knocking on doors and urging people to register and vote. Ofelia was also a member of the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) of Fresno County, Comite Mexicano de Beneficiencia, Sociedad Progresista Mexicana, and Edad de Oro. In the '80's, Ofelia and her husband Estanislado were honored by the Comite Civico Mexicano de Sanger as Mr. and Mrs. 16 de Septiembre.

Ofelia is survived by her son Tanis Ybarra Jr. and his wife Martha Lascano Ybarra, daughters Dr. Lea Ybarra, Melva Ybarra-Garcia and husband Frank Garcia and Sylvia Ybarra Vigil, as well as 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She adored her grandchildren and very much enjoyed having them visit and run around her house.

Ofelia Munoz Ybarra was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, who will be missed by many. May she rest in peace in the arms of the Lord and in the company of her husband, her relatives, and the many comadres and compadres who are all waiting for her in heaven.