Virginia Lujan

Virginia Lucille Lujan, 89 of Gardena, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 9th, 2022 She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Virginia was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend who was generous and kind. Virginia was loved by her family and friends and made a point to tell them she loved them every time she talked to them. She gave great hugs and would often cry because she was so happy. She will be greatly missed and eternally loved by all who knew her.

Virginia was born on May 23rd, 1933 in Rock River, Wyoming. She was the daughter of Alex and Natividad Valdez, and was their third child out of twelve children. Virginia and her older brother Roger were raised by their paternal grandmother, Isabel. Virginia spent her teen years in Rawlins, Wyoming where she met the love of her life Joseph "Lupe" Lujan. Lupe joined the Air Force and they were soon married. They then moved to Northern California where Lupe was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. While living in California, they welcomed their first child, John Anthony Lujan. After Lupe’s discharge from the Air Force they moved back to Wyoming where they welcomed their second child Jeanette Yvonne Valdez. Lupe and Virginia missed California so much that they decided to move back. They originally settled in Torrance California near family, before eventually buying their first and only home in Gardena, California, in 1962. They lived in the home together until Lupe’s death in 1991. Virginia continued to live in the home until her passing. For most of her career, Virginia worked for Pacific Bell Telephone Company as a Directory Assistant Operator. She made lifelong friends at work, who she has stayed in contact with for over 30 years. Her fondest memories were working at the 1984 Olympics, and getting her Associates of Arts degree from Los Angeles City College.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lupe Lujan, sisters and brothers Roger (Tommy) Valdez, Edith (Paul) Garcia, Grace (Daniel) Gardea, Nelda Lara, Helen (Dennis) Monson, Max Valdez, Ramona Bakovic and Steven Valdez.

Virginia is survived by her children John (Jennie) Lujan of Mission Viejo and Jeanette “Gina” Valdez of Gardena. Her grandchildren Stephanie (Jerry) Howard of Mission Viejo, Christina (Scott) Probst of Garden Grove, Marissa (Mark) Ingraffia of Foothill Ranch, Michael (Lily) Valdez of Lakewood. Great-Grandchildren Devon, Matthew, Tiana, Aaron, Gemma, Angelique and Benjamin.
She is also survived by her sisters, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law; Elizabeth Vialpando, Shirley Casias, Mark Bakovic, Debbie Valdez and Kathy (Rico) Joyner along with many nieces and nephews.