Mary O. Gaeta, 82, passed away peacefully April 27, 2011, in Shafter, CA, surrounded by her seven children. Viewing will take place Thursday, May 5, from 2-8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m., at Peter's Funeral Home in Shafter. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Shafter, with Rev. Msgr. Perry Kavookjian officiating. Interment will follow at Shafter Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Christopher Ruiz, Tommy Gaeta, Terzino Gaeta, Phillip Ramirez, Edward Ramirez, Gabriel M. Gaeta, Braden Bautista, Phillip Files, and Joel Lozano. Honorary pallbearer will be Pete Ortega. Mary was born Aug. 5, 1928 in Stanton, CA, to Guillermo and Manuela Ortega. She grew up and attended school in the Imperial Valley. She and her family later settled in Mendota, CA, where she met her future husband Larry N. Gaeta. They were married in 1946. They eventually moved to Shafter, where they raised their seven children. Mary and Larry were deeply involved in the Shafter community, especially in St. Theresa's Catholic Church. Mary was a member of St. Theresa's Altar Society and the Guadalupanos. The Gaetas owned and operated El Sonora Restaurant in Shafter in the mid-1960s. Mary later held jobs with Tenneco West, Jackson & Perkins, Shafter Return to Custody Center, and the Shafter Senior Center. After her husband's death in 1987, she earned a manicurist's license (1988) and her high school diploma (1992). Mary was an outstanding cook and excelled in needle arts. She won many first-place awards at the Kern County Fair for her afghans and other crocheting and knitting entries. Her greatest accomplishment and joy were her children and grandchildren, who were the fortunate recipients of her love and devotion. They tenderly remember her deep work ethic, beauty and stylish dressing, love of music and singing, and deeply-held beliefs in education and the Catholic faith. Mary is survived by her loving and devoted children: Larry O. (Nancy) Gaeta, Cayucos, CA; Veronica Gaeta, Shafter, CA; Virginia Gaeta Ramirez, Bakersfield, CA; Richard (Shirley) Gaeta, Shafter, CA; David (Cathy) Gaeta, Bakersfield, CA, Yolanda Gaeta Hamen, Bakersfield, CA; and Bill (Michelle) Gaeta, Bakersfield, CA; grandchildren: Melanie and Tommy Gaeta; Christopher Ruiz, Gina Ruiz Files and Veronika Martinez Lozano; Phillip and Edward Ramirez; Terzino Gaeta and Felicia Lane; Gabriel Merlo Gaeta; Braden Bautista, Presley and Haley Gaeta; Michael, Anthony, Nicole and Jessica Hamen; brother Pete Ortega (Helen), Fresno, CA; sister Rosa Matus, Heber, CA; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Larry; infant daughter Margaret; her parents; brothers Guillermo and Sotero Ortega; sisters Felipa Reyna and Concepcion Nava; and son-in-law Ruben Ramirez. Donations may be made in Mary Gaeta's name to the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County. The family wishes to thank Jackie Patterson and the staff at Golden Living Center in Shafter for the care of our mother the last two years, and Hoffman Hospice.