Beatrice “Bee” Vigil (Lopez)
February 6, 1930 - November 26, 2020
In honor & respect for a Norwalk matriarch, community leader, and quiet advocate for justice:
Beatrice Marian Vigil, born in San Diego, California on February 6, 1930 to Magdalena Barela Vigil and Patrick Torres Vigil, as the 5th child and youngest daughter of 7 children, has quietly passed to heaven on one of her favorite holidays November 26, 2020. Born into a family that originated in Texas and made their way to California in the 1930’s during the great depression, the Vigil’s settled in Los Angeles, on 25th St. and Maple Ave., in what was a historic small Mexican town of the period. During her youthful days in L.A., she witnessed an era of a low population in the downtown area, the “Big Band” environment, the decade of world war 2 (WWII), the denigration of Mexican people during the U.S. government “Repatriation Movement”, the “L.A. Zoot Suit riots”, and, the introduction/birth of two younger brothers, James (Jimmy) and Richard (Dickie) Vigil.
As a youth she became to be known as “Bee” (as in bumblebee), cherished by her oldest sibling Patrick, Jr., who went off to WWII as a volunteer, and reared by her older sisters Viola (Vi), Eloise (Loy), and Magdalena (Nanny), as they assisted in the family restaurant/club business that their father established while assimilating into the culture of L.A. development. Her working family background led her to early employment in the L.A. sweat shops as a seamstress, even though her father encouraged her to pursue her general education by paying her to attend school, and eventually she worked through her teen years trying to follow the youthful/beautiful path of older sisters in an exciting era of dance and show in the L.A./Hollywood scenes.
At the close of WWII, in the excitement of “peace” and celebration, she met and married a U.S. Army Paratrooper who grew up and worked in the L.A. transportation industry (Robert “Bobby” Lopez), and summarily exited downtown (1952) as they followed the migrations of her parents and sisters to the new suburbs in Norwalk, Calif., after birthing their first three children, Monica, Larry and Michael, and, by 1960 completing their family with Samuel, Roberta, and Johnnie. By 1961, with the changes and challenges of California life, she became a single struggling mother and independent head of household, which was an aberration in a society framed as “must have a normal family”. Her struggle was overwhelming while looking for work, caring for 6 children, and maintaining a new home, when her parents decided to join her challenge after the 605 Freeway took their home through eminent domain in Norwalk, and, assisted in caring for her children while she worked 2 & 3 jobs. It was at this moment that she was successful in becoming employed at Rockwell International, on the advice of an older sister (Nanny), joining the U.A.W. (United Auto Workers) under a solid union contract that provided superior wages, benefits, and working conditions, and stabilizing her standard of living for the challenges ahead.
By the mid-1960’s, with the passing of her father, and her eldest children becoming teens & high schoolers, she decided that a lesson in perseverance was in order as she secretly attended night school to garner her GED diploma, and, to graduate before her eldest child, Monica, and express her dream of college education for all her children. She accomplished this task in 1968, two days prior to her eldest child’s graduation at Excelsior High, as her surprise unfolded while her children sat in the auditorium unaware that she would march down the aisle. This moment triggered her message that education was the key to advancing in life, and joined by her younger brothers, Jimmy & Mangas (Dickie), they influenced her brood to engage in the new Chicano Movement, anti-war movement, civil rights protest, and demands for equal rights and higher education. Her motivation was to save her sons from the draft, support the issues of the day, and maintain a standard of equal access to opportunity in the U.S., while defending her youngest brother’s rights from charges in the 1968 E.L.A. Blowouts (one of the E.L.A. 13). She led her children in protest at the L.A.P.D. offices, where over 2000 people circled the headquarters, demanding the release of the “13”, who were being held on conspiracy charges and subject to 40 years in prison for simply demanding a fair & equal education for Chicanos in the public schools. In her quiet wisdom she revealed her true revolutionary spirit, original feminist lifestyle, faith driven morals, ethical practices of respect for all human beings, and loyal protection for her family.
In the early 1970’s, upon the residual effects of the 1960’s cultural clashes, she engaged in supporting her son’s actions in the Excelsior High “walk-outs”, protesting unequal treatment and opportunity in public education (including racism, corporal punishment, and denial to higher education), and she became a founding member of U.P.A.N. (United Parents Association of Norwalk). This organization led the fight for access & equality at Excelsior High, establishing Chicano Studies at Cerritos College in Norwalk, the founding of a community library and Social Services Center on Alondra Blvd. in Norwalk, El Centro Aztlan (Community Youth Center on Front St. in Norwalk), multiple protest at the school board, city council, and Norwalk Police Station against brutality & harassment of Chicano youth. She continued to support the fights for political change by marching in the historical 1970 Chicano Moratorium, sponsoring fundraisers for Los Tres del Barrio, C.A.S.A. – HGT, and La Raza Unida Party, while sponsoring the many weddings of her children in the ‘70’s. After the loss of her mother in 1973, she eventually decided to commit to foster and adopt 4 orphaned children (Paul & John and Richard & Anita) while continuing to work full time, which took a serious toll over time on her health condition.
Throughout the decades she maintained a close relationship with her extended family, always ready to support traditions, activities, and, sewing for weddings, quinces, personal requests and/or needs, even after moving residences out of Norwalk and into Alta Loma, re-establishing a base for the family to unite and grow. The 1980’s brought growth in family numbers, eventually exceeding 80+ grandchildren & greats, multiple activities supporting athletic events of her grandchildren, the educational advancements of many family college graduates, and at the close of the decade early retirement. Although she witnessed the passing of most of her siblings over the past 20 years (leaving herself and brother James as the last survivors), and, her eldest son Nativo (Larry), adopted son John, grandson Manuel Rivera, and two son-in-laws, it never diminished her love for family, life, and celebration. She accepted life realities with grace, faith, and understanding, never forsaking her family and/or friends.
On the eve of the recent holiday season, she spent the quiet evening with family, talking about the fun season, watching classic movies, making her gift list, and just feeling good to stay up beyond midnight. As she settled in for the night on November 26, 2020, she transcended on her own terms into deep sleep as she always wanted to do and exited graciously to the heavens. She will always be present!
Our mother, Beatrice Marian Vigil (Lopez), is survived by her younger brother, James “Diego” Vigil, her surviving children, Monica, Miguel (Mike), Samuel, Roberta, Johnnie (Marcia), and, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.