In Memory of Cecilia Margarita Guzmán Rojas (RIP)

On June 19, we were surprised by the unexpected death of our dear cousin and sister Cecilia Margarita Guzmán Rojas. The Lord called her from the quiet Limarí Valley.

Cecilia was born in Ovalle on May 10, 1939; She is the daughter of Santiago Guzmán and Elba Rojas, niece of Nemesio Guzmán and Donatila Vega, who considered her her daughter. She lost her mother at a very young age, later living with her grandmother Margarita and great-aunt Tomasa, whom she accompanied in her old age and her subsequent death.
As a young man he began to work in the First Court of First Instance of Ovalle. Later, he worked in his kiosk selling newspapers and magazines, as well as selling beauty products at home. In both occupations she was highly appreciated for her spirit of service, serenity and patience in attending to those who needed guidance in their procedures or purchases. One of her typical phrases was “What is offered? In that I can help?”.
With his good memory, wisdom and humor, he shared with family and friends the anecdotes and stories that he had accumulated during his life, which reflect different aspects of Oval life and its surroundings, such as the trips to Andacollo and his judicial activity in the fields far from the city. The story of her life, very graphic, led those who listened to her to imagine the old Ovalle and the different characters of those years, social organizations, commerce, the celebration of national holidays, religious holidays and others. .
Due to his sociable and generous character, he had the ability to welcome and help those who came to his house, without making noise, silently. His love for God and his devotion to the Virgin of Andacollo were manifested in deeds, more than in words, easily entering into dialogue and listening with those he met in their homes or in the streets that he gladly walked.
She lived 52 years with her goddaughter María Cecilia, now an arts teacher, who affectionately called her “Nina”; then she also with Ignacio, Marichi’s son, also a professional, forming a true family. She was and will always be “the mother of the heart” of both, who have great affection and gratitude for her. Furthermore, without knowing it about her, she embodied the spirituality of Saint Francis, of love for creation, for the countryside, and respect and care for the domestic animals that accompanied her.
His concern also reached his closest and most distant relatives; in the last time in a special way to the little ones, who remember “La Tía Chiche” with great affection.
Cecilia lived her 83 years intensely. She leaves an indelible memory of love, joy, cordiality with everyone. Being single, she never closed in on herself, but gave much of her time and resources to organizations dear to her: the Firefighters of the First Company of Ovalle, where her uncle Nemesio and her grandfather Fabián had served for years, to the Baile de Chinos and Tamayino Dance, to the Christmas Committee, protagonist of historical representations of the Crib in December of each year.
We believe that Psalm 23 becomes a reality in it with its consoling words: “… the Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing, he leads me to quiet springs, there he restores my strength…”
Cecilia, thank you for everything. She rests now in the arms of the good and merciful Father.

ZGV

In Memory of Cecilia Margarita Guzmán Rojas (RIP)