Paula S. (Morales) Arevalo

Paula S. Morales Arevalo age 77 of Gig Harbor, WA went to be in the arms of her Heavenly Father on Monday November 9, 2015 in Gig Harbor, WA. Paula was born August 23, 1938 in Edinburg, Texas to Jose and Rosaura Saenz.  She had three brothers, Oscar, Hector and Jose.  She was raised in the Rio Grand Valley and attended Edinburg High School through 11th grade.  Her father owned a large rancho in Northern Mexico with his brothers where Paula enjoyed many days of her youth with family.  She always had spunk and developed into a striking young lady.  One day her brother Oscar brought home an Army buddy for dinner named Mariano "Moy" Morales. The young soldier was immediately smitten and so began a whirlwind courtship that resulted in the two eloping 1955. They  were hard working migrant Farmworkers who picked cotton, oranges, grapefruit and other Texas crops. Each morning at dawn Paula awoke and prepared breakfast and lunch before the day’s work ahead. She returned after toiling all day in the Texas sun, and prepared a bountiful harvest dinner. While making their living in the fields, they forged many lifelong friendships. They were blessed with five children, Mariano Jr., Diana, Rene, Mary and Michael.
 In the early sixties Paula and Mariano joined many other "Tejanos" migrating to Washington to harvest crops. They bought a truck, paid for it partly by transporting others to the Yakima Valley.  They followed the crops, cutting asparagus, picking cherries, picking strawberries and raspberries in western Washington, returning to the Valley to hoe sugar beets, mint, and potatoes, followed by harvesting hops, potatoes and sugar beets. In late fall they returned to Texas and followed the Texas crops.  This cycle became their simple, happy life and they forged many lifelong friendships in the fields. Paula was a great cook and made everything in harvest taste delicious.  She even made her own ice cream during the strawberry harvest! After a few years of migrating to and from Texas, they decided to put down roots in the Prosser-Whitstran.  Paula wanted better opportunities for their kids and felt Washington was the best place for that.
 Paula did not like how Farmworkers were treated at times so she went to work for Northwest Rural Opportunities, one of the early Farmworker advocacy programs. Paula shared her positive, engaging personality in sales at Schmidt's Variety Store in Prosser, Rodman's Shoes and eventually JC Penny's. She worked at JC Penny's for 35 years and became the local smiling face of the company.   After JC Penny’s closed the Prosser store, Paula was the only employee transferred to the Sunnyside store, where she worked until retirement.   She had a flair for fashion and those who shopped at Penny's experienced her warm and sincere help.
 After Diana and Mariano went off to college the marriage ended and each went their separate ways. Paula continued to raise Rene, Michael and Mary as a single parent.  She encouraged us all to go on to college and to chase our dreams no matter how big they were.  Her love and encouragement was the wind beneath our wings that helped us soar.  This marvelous woman who began her adult life as a simple migrant Farmworker lived to see her children go to college and become a lawyer, financial planner, speech pathologist, medical business owner and city administrator.  Paula grabbed the American Dream with both hands, handed it to her children and said go chase it.
 Paula started another chapter of her life with Ray Arevalo.  They married and had many adventures together fishing, camping and traveling.  Their favorite trips were  to Reno and Las Vegas to see shows and play their favorite slot machines.  Paula and Ray enjoyed 27 happy years filled with love and laughter until his untimely passing in 2011.
 Paula loved her nine grandkids dearly.  Even after retirement she still took them to Penny's  just to show them off to her former co- workers.  Paula's happiest times were when all her kids and grandkids gathered at her home and filled it with lots of laughter and love.  The grandkids were always excited when grandma "Weetha" took them to the Darigold plant for a tour and fresh made ice cream bars.  She and Ray often drove from Sunnyside to Yakima to cheer her grandkids on during their games or to see their fair exhibits.
 In her final years Paula was afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Although this disease affected her memory, it never affected her capacity to love. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Rosaura Saenz, brothers Oscar and Jose, first husband Mariano Morales, 2nd husband Ray Arevalo and son Rene Morales.  She is survived by her sons Mariano Morales Jr. (Laurie) of Yakima, and Michael Morales (Nira) of Federal Way, daughters Diana (Eduardo) Ortiz and Mary (Paul) West, both of Gig Harbor, grandchildren Chelsy (Kyle) Pease, Katie West, Maddie and Angie Ortiz all of Gig Harbor, Desiderio and Vienne Morales of Yakima, Victoria Morales of Selah, Marques and Elizabeth Morales of Federal Way.
Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sunnyside, WA. with burial to follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, WA. Those wishing to sign Paula’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com. Smith Funeral Homes Ltd. in care of arrangements.

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