Dora Padilla

Dora Bessie Padilla was born Dora Bessie Gomez on February 8th, 1941 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Her parents, Alelaido and Josefita Gomez, brought their family to Colorado as her mother was a homemaker and her father worked at the local railroad. Dora was the youngest of their nine children. Dora met her husband, Richard Padilla, when teenagers and married on October 31, 1955. They went on to have three beautiful children of their own: Theresa, Richard Jr (Lenny), and Kenneth. They were so proud of their children and always made certain to support and encourage them. 

Dora worked various jobs throughout her life, but her main focus was her children and her six cherished grandchildren (Natasha, Vanessa, Fabio, Chelsea, Gabriel and Bella). She played a great part in their upbringing and always made them the priority. She just loved them all so immensely and enjoyed taking part in their lives and caring for them. In addition to being a homemaker, Dora and her husband worked as apartment property managers. She would ensure that the property was always well-maintained and that tenants paid. Many of these tenants came to love Richard and Dora, and they made many friends throughout their career.

Dora has a talent for gardening, she was good at it and every yard she came to touch was always bright and immaculate. She and Rich moved from Colorado to San Diego where they remained for almost 20 years. During that time, they lived their “best” life. They went sightseeing, spent weekends at the beach, and enjoyed having their children come and visit for long summers. 

In addition to her many friendships, Dora shared tight bonds with her sisters. She and her sisters would talk daily and share in their many experiences. They vowed to take care of each other’s children in the situation one could not. 

After Dora lost her husband in 2017, she pulled together all her strength to carry forward for her kids. She had plans to work and spend time with her family, but unfortunately received news of a cancer diagnosis. Dora fought relentlessly for more time with her kids until her body eventually tired and God called her home on May 3, 2019. Dora will be remembered a selfless, loving mother and wife that would do anything for the ones she loved, and because of it, she was greatly adored and will be truly missed. 

Dora is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Padilla; and her siblings, Eddie Gomez, Margarito Gomez, Aneda Trujillo, and Celia Duran. She is survived by her siblings, Annie Padilla, Angel Nieto, Lydia Gonzales, and Marylan Montano; her children, Theresa Caetano-Furey, Richard Padilla Jr, and Kenneth Padilla; her beloved grandchildren, Natasha Salinas, Vanessa Caetano, Fabio Padilla, Chelsea Padilla, Gabriel Padilla, and Bella Padilla; and great-grandchildren, Maksim Salinas and Bodhin Salinas.

The funeral services will be held on May 13th at 10:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

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