Margaret Stella Rubio Alvarez

Margaret Stella Rubio Alvarez was born on March 9,1930 in Carpentaria, CA and passed away on the morning of January 11, 2021 in Lompoc, CA at the age of 90. She was the 4th eldest child out of 10 siblings, six sisters and three brothers. She was the daughter of Jesus and Frances Rubio. Margaret found much joy and happiness in all things that brought family together, having come from a family of 10 and having 9 children of her own, small family gatherings were unheard of. The responsibility of feeding all of her children fell on her capable shoulders, as anyone could attest, who was lucky enough to sit at her table for a meal. Her Chile Verde was her signature dish. Small in stature, she could be a force to reckon with or a comforting presence that was able to give honest and loving advice. If you are lucky enough to call her mom or grandma, you have special memories that will most certainly put a smile on your face. She enjoyed simple pleasures like cruising the streets of her beloved Santa Barbara with the love of her life, Salvador “ Chava” Alvarez, BBQing in her back yard with siblings, children and friends, Ramon Ayala and a cold beer, you knew you were always welcomed, Celebrating fourth of July at Pancho’s spot on the beach, Camping with her children at Cachuma Lake, Having annual Christmas dinners with siblings at Look’s Ranch, She always had a place to be and family to be with. To the part of her family that called her Tia Margaret, She truly loved you all. Like so many of her generation, Margaret was no stranger to hard work and was employed until the age of 85, a choice of character, not of need. Margaret’s 15 minuet of fame came in 1960 when she gave birth to triplet boys, an event that granted her the title of “Mother of the year” for the city of Santa Barbara. Her children, Jim (Bonnie), Cynthia (Mau), Sal (Cherie), Nancy (Armando), Joe (Raquel), Mando (Inez) Art (Ana) Abe (Rose) Letty (Ruben) Hoppy (Danelle) know that their mother’s life was a life well lived and her love for them was unconditional. Grandma Margaret loved all 28 of her grandchildren, all 46 of her great grandchildren and all 9 of her great great grandchildren. Services for Margaret will be held at 10:00am January 29th at the Saint Joseph Church 1532 Linden Ave. Internment will follow at Carpentaria Cemetery. Due to Covid restrictions there will be no reception, but everyone is encouraged to gather with their own families to celebrate Margaret’s Life.