Maria Del Consuelo Alvarez June 8, 1926 – October 20, 2011 Our most beloved mother has gone to be with our Lord. Mom was born in Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico. She graduated from high school and attended pharmacy studies in Guadalajara. She has lived in Bakersfield since 1961. Being a housewife was her priority; nevertheless, she worked as a farm laborer for a while. Then, she worked for Tenneco Almond Factory for 20 years. There she was the "Sweet Lady", who made her co-workers laugh, gave them candy and "chiles" if they wanted. She was a member of the Guadalupana Catholic Society and Sociedad Progresista Mexicana. In the 1960's, when her children were at Colonel Baker School, she was one of the parents who initiated honoring teachers by celebrating Teacher's Day as they did in Mexico. She was always putting others first. Besides being compassionate, she was helpful, humble and friendly, almost to a fault. Every person she met was a potential friend and/or comadre. She loved to hear jokes and made people laugh with her great sense of humor. Her Catholic faith was her pillar of strength throughout her life and the love of family is and always will be the guiding light in all our lives. She had written on a book, "A mother's love is given by God to last forever." Mom, God wanted you in heaven because you brought a piece of heaven to us. We love you and miss you. Mama, te veremos in el cielo. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Jesus Alvarez, Sr. and her son, Efrain Alvarez. She is survived by her sister, Maria N. Aguilar; sons, Carlos Alvarez, MD and wife Pam, Jessie Alvarez and wife Armida, Alvaro Alvarez, Ruben Alvarez, MD, Daniel Alvarez and wife Michelle; daughters, Elia, Grace and husband John Rodriguez, Perla and husband Joseph Velasco; grandchildren, Mark, George Martinez and wife Silvia, Jessie, III, Alheli, Sergio, Natalie, John Paul Rodriguez and wife Amanda, LeeAnna, Efrain, Emily, Ashley and Alyssa; great grandchildren, Emma and Jessie; and numerous nephews and nieces who also loved her dearly and saw her as a mother figure. Thank you so much Alvaro for the special care and countless hours you dedicated to Mom. Holy Rosary will be recited Monday, October 24 at 6pm at St. Francis Church for Maria Del Consuelo Alvarez, age 85, of Bakersfield who passed away October 20, 2011 in Bakersfield. Mass of the Christian Burial will be said Tuesday, October 25, at 10am at St. Francis and interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Southwest. Visitation will be held Monday, October 24 from 2pm to 4pm at Hopson-Anspach Family Mortuary.