Myra Valenzuela

Myra Valenzuela, 45, born on September 3, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York to Antonio Sayar and Gladys Tirado Sayar passed away on December 10, 2012 after a valiant fight against breast cancer. At the time of her passing she was surrounded by loved ones. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Myra went on to graduate magna cum laude from Boston's Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. On a spring break break vacation she went to Los Angeles with her roommate and from that moment she knew California would be a home for her. Shortly after college graduation she headed west and soon began what would be a distinguished career as a Management Consultant.

Her career had her travel throughout the U.S. and abroad, but it was In 1993 at an assignment for a food manufacturing plant in the San Fernando Valley she met the guy who would be the one to share a million memories and adventures, Tomas. After a lost bet over a Laker's game (our suspected excuse Tomas used to ask her on a date) one dinner date led to another. By 1997 they settled in the suburban community of Reseda and in 2000, Myra Sayar became Myra Valenzuela. In 2001 they welcomed their first daughter Victoria and 2 years later came Isabella (a/k/a Belly Bear). Whether with her own children or her step children Myra was that rock star Mom that spent countless hours @ the homework table, cheering @ sporting events, playing board games and passing along her passion for good challenging Legos set.

Diagnosed in 2007 with advanced stage breast cancer Myra never lost sight of the practical. She knew the reality of what could happen, but she was determined to win the battle. She said "I'm know I'm not going to die, I just don't like that my children will see me sick". And it was that strength that got her through each round of chemotherapy or radiation or surgery. It was the philosophy of "ok, let's deal with this and move on". Cancer would not stop her from living, from traveling, from beating the pants off of us in Scrabble, from being the best hostess with the best stuffed meatballs and crispy fish tacos this side of The Rio Grande. On December 10th she conceded. Cancer won the war. We are all better for having had her walk this earth beside us and fortunate to have her looking over us from above. We know she is where she will forever be young, forever be beautiful and forever be strong. When we think of her wide, all 32 teeth showing smile, we'll feel her spirit and remember what she means to us. While our minds have accepted where her soul and spirit are now, our hearts are still mourning that her body has left us too soon.

Myra is survived by her mother Gladys Sayar, husband Tomas Valenzuela, daughters Victoria and Isabella Valenzuela, step children Roxana, Alberto and Veronica Valenzuela and sister Marisol Ordonez.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA.