Virginia Herrera Arteaga lived a life centered on faith, family, and community. On July 3rd, 2026, Virginia Herrera Arteaga passed away on her 69th birthday, inside her home in Parlier, California, after more than a two-year battle with cancer, surrounded by the people she loved.

   Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, as the first child of Mercedes Nuñez and Ruben Herrera, she was the first of their 10 children. At the age of 17, she met the love of her life, Juan Manuel Arteaga. Nine months later, they got married and started their journey together.

   Juan Manuel and Virginia spent 50 years happily married. Together they had six children and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two sons, Sergio and Alejandro. She is survived by her husband, Juan Manuel; her children, Veronica, Lusila, Jessica, and Sean; and her grandchildren, Bernardo, Alex, Anissa, Lucy, Aidan, Sasha, Evelyn, Zoey, and Zula; and her great grandchild Bernardo.

   Virginia had a gift for connecting with people and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She genuinely enjoyed getting to know others, building many lasting friendships throughout her life and making everyone feel welcome.

   She loved to garden, use her sewing machine, design her own custom shirts, and express her love through cooking delicious homemade meals, especially handmade tortillas and sopes, enchiladas, and many other delicious dishes. She would welcome all friends and family with open arms to try her food, sharing her contagious smile the entire time.

   Her family was the center of her life. She always made time to connect with her husband and each of her children individually, making each one feel deeply loved and valued. She taught them the importance of staying united, supporting and caring for one another, and cherishing the bond of family. Her greatest wish was for her family to remain close, carrying her love and the values she taught on to the future.

   She also passed on a deep faith in God to her children and grandchildren. Through her words, prayers, and the way she lived her life, she taught them to trust God’s love, remain faithful through life’s challenges, and find hope in Him.

   She lived her life valuing community, always kind to all her neighbors and friends, cousins and siblings, nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Giving everyone her attention and kindness, she knew how to build strong relationships and valued each and every one. She did this because it came so easily to her. Virginia was very loved by many people, and she loved them all back just the same.

   Virginia loved the colors yellow and light blue. One of her last wishes was to wear these colors at her services.

   Rosary and viewing will be Monday, the 13th, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Please join us in wearing yellow to honor her.)

   Funeral will be Tuesday, the 14th, 2026, at Our Lady of Sorrows at 10:00 a.m. (Please join us in wearing light blue to honor her.)

   On Tue, Jul 7, 2026 at 11:33 AM Sean Arteaga wrote: