Mercedes G. Canales

Our beloved matriarch, queen, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, Mercedes G. Canales, 94 of Sunnyside went to be in the arms of her beloved Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 surrounded by her loved ones. Mercedes was born February 17, 1929 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Teofilo Guajardo and Viatrice Bermudez. Mercedes helped to raise her nieces and nephews until she met Alberto Canales and they married on April 17, 1949 in San Antonio, Texas. Over the next few years, Mercedes and Alberto and their children moved around following the crops, finally making their home in Sunnyside, WA in 1965, to raise and educate their children. Together they bought their first farm in 1968, where the family worked side by side tending the farm. Alberto and Mercedes never forgot where they came from, and that there was a time when they could not afford to buy anything for one another. They were devoted lifetime members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sunnyside, WA. Mercedes was the last surviving sister of 23 siblings. Mercedes is survived by her children Francisco Canales, Sr. (Maria), Emilio Canales, Josefina Accuri (Darin), Jose Canales, Jr. (Wendy), Irene Green (Jewel), Hector Canales (Dawn), and Manuel Canales (Michelle). She is also survived by 38 grandchildren, 61 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and 1 great-great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alberto, sons, Lionel, Pedro and Alberto, daughter, Helena.

Viewing and visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 4pm - 8pm with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Sunnyside at 10am with burial to follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, WA.  Those Wishing to sign Mercedes’ online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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