Rest In Peace /Descansa En Paz

Adela Valdez, also known as "Adelita," was born December 16, 1932, to Maria Del Pilar Zamora  and Dionicio Molano in Tamaulipas Nuevo Laredo Mexico.  She and her late husband Fructuoso "Tocho" Valdez had five children:  Jose, Rosa, Antonio, Manuel, and Diana.  Adela is survived by all of her children as well as six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Adelita was one of the original-founding members of the first U.S.-based all-female mariachi band in Los Angeles, "Las Generalas," which began in 1976.  Her role as a mariachi pioneer woman pushed the gender boundaries of the then-status quo and opened the doors to what has now become a fully accepted cultural norm in the expression of Mexican culture and mariachi music.

Adela's love of mariachi music began at a very early age when she sang as an aficionado at the local radio stations in Mexico at the young age of seven years old.  Later, when she married Tocho, who was also a founding member of one of Los Angeles' first mariachis, Mariachi Los Vaqueros, they would perform together as a duo and at various venues, including theaters, sports arenas, and rodeos, as well as church and social functions.  In addition to singing mariachi music, Adela also played the guitar and vihuela.

She will be deeply missed by all but will live on forever in our hearts.  May she rest in peace with our Lord in heaven, Amen.

Diana V. Galvez