Aurora Mendoza

Aurora Sedano Mendoza, age 67, of Glassell Park, Los Angeles, CA, USA, passed away at White Memorial Hospital in East L.A., from a long-time heart condition, in the early morning hours on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Aurora Sedano on November 25, 1955 to Socorro Caro and Andrés Sedano in Guachinango, Jalisco, México. Aurora spent her childhood in México with her parents and siblings before moving to the United States on her own at the age of 15. She lived in New York for a year before moving to Los Angeles, where she put down roots and spent the rest of her life. Aurora met Arnulfo in 1976, and the two immediately began their lives together. They married in 1979, welcomed their first child, Fito, in 1980, followed by Sam in 1984, and Eli in 1986. Aurora worked for Slumberjack, Inc. for over 14 years, and maintained great friendships with some of the women she worked with, until her passing. She enjoyed spending time outside, tending to her flowers and plants, digging in the soil and rocks for gold and diamonds (sometimes she actually found stuff, too!), telling unfiltered and morbid jokes, and collecting tiny figures and figurines. But, most of all, she loved spending time with her grandkids (and cursing the family dog, Brownie, whom she secretly loved). Aurora’s greatest accomplishment was her family, but the cherry on top was when she became a U.S. citizen on April 23, 2019.

Aurora was preceded in death by her father, Andrés, and two brothers, Guillermo and Arturo, and is survived by her husband of 44 years, Arnulfo Mendoza; son, Arnulfo “Fito” Mendoza, son, Samuel Mendoza, and daughter-in-law, Irene T.G. Salazar; daughter, Eliana Mendoza Martinez, and son-in-law, Ramiro Martinez Beltran; her grandchildren, Alexandra Drapeau, Samantha Martinez, Christian Martinez, Hershelina Ewing, Damian Martinez, & Lorelai Mendoza; her mother, Socorro Caro; and her siblings, Laura Sedano, Guillermo “Memo” Sedano, Raúl Sedano, Francisco Sedano, Elena Sedano, Julio Sedano, and Rogelio Sedano.

Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, CA, where Aurora’s family will hold a viewing and Rosary Vigil on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The all-day viewing will be held on the second floor of the main building of the Forest Lawn grounds, from 10:00am to 3:30pm. Her Rosary will be held in the Church of the Recessional at the top of the hill, also on the Forest Lawn grounds. Doors will open at 4:30pm and the Rosary—which will be held in Spanish—will begin at 5:30pm. Additional viewing time will proceed in the church prior to the Rosary, once the doors open.

Aurora will be cremated, and a private ceremony will be held for placement of her ashes, at a later date. There will be no mass and no social gatherings held, as was Aurora’s wishes.