Obituary of Aida L. Calanche

December 4^th, 2018, Aida Lemus Calanche, left this earthly home for her heavenly one.  She was our mother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin and great–grand mother and dear friend.   

Aida was born September 11, 1931 in El Paso, Texas to Isidra Rivera Lemus and Manuel Jesus Lemus. She was the oldest of five children; all who have preceded her in death. Aida married Raul R. Calanche on June 3, 1951 in El Paso, Texas, who preceded her in death.  She had six children: Liz, Raul (Virginia), Richard, Rosemary (Luis), Peter and Barbara (Victor) and grandmother to 11: Cathy, Michael (Lori), Nicole (Luke), Cynthia (Pomaikai), Adrienne (Amber), Raul, Gabriel, Vanessa (Eleazar), Angela, Marisela, Angelo; several of them preceding her in death.  Her family grew to include 18 great grandchildren: Jeremy, Anthoney, Ashley, Hailey, Jonathan, Kaeli, Erin, Ben, Marissa, Adrienne Jr., Aleena, Andre, Eleazar Jr., Darius, Samantha, Jaidyn, Jordan, Ariana Chloe and one great-great grandson in Wisconsin William K. Aldama. She was aunt to 39 nieces and nephews and many dear friends from Texas to California. 

She graduated from Austin High School and attended Texas Western College (UTEP) where she was a Gold Digger (mascot cheer club) and where she met her husband of 27 years.  She was a homemaker and active parishioner of the women’s auxiliary at Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church and active member of the Henderson Jr. High, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) in El Paso, Texas; in Salinas she was a member of Liberty Chapel, Oak Park Community and more recently, Compass Church.  

Aida and her family lived in El Paso, till 1971, when they moved to the Salinas Valley, where Raul continued his career as a high school teacher and she worked and volunteered at Natividad Hospital. 

She enjoyed music, dancing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.  There were many personal tragedies and losses, but her faith in her heavenly Father kept her on the path to Him.  She had many long lasting friendships and many lasted up to 78 years. She was a generous, true and caring friend, and reminded everyone about how much God loved us.

Her final journey taught us how to leave this earthly life, in peace, anticipating going home to our Lord and looking forward to seeing loved ones.  We will miss her beautiful smile, interesting conversations and spunk (it never wavered).

Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the New Life Church of the Nazarene, 800 N. Main St. Salinas, CA 93906 with internment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Reception will follow all services at the Elks Lodge, 614 Airport Blvd. Salinas, 93905.