Obituaries

Olivia Valle passed away in Union City where she was visited daily by her family virtually and then in-person during her hospice care. She was 93 years old and was preceded by her husband Raul Valle who passed in April 2020. Olivia’s parents were Antonia and Hilario Leal. Olivia grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. Olivia’s siblings were Beto, Tonio, Joe, Dora and Belia. Dora and Belia are with their families in Corpus Christi. Raul and Olivia were married for 74 years and lived in Union City since 1959. Raul and Olivia relocated to Union City from Taft, Texas when the U.S. Naval Base at Corpus Christi was shut down. Raul brought Olivia and family to California where he worked at the Naval Air Station in Alameda. Raul and Olivia Valle had four children, Yolanda, Richard, Yvonne and Robert who passed away in October 2009. One of Olivia’s fondest memories was her and Raul driving by and seeing a women’s softball team playing in a nearby field near their home. She immediately joined the team and loved the outdoors and playing softball. She also worked at the Union City Carrot Factory located near their home on 13th Street. Olivia and her children, Yolanda, Richard, Yvonne and Robert often would accompany Olivia to pick beans, apricots and other fruits and vegetables at nearby fields helping the family make ends meet. Olivia and Raul believed in hard work. Both Olivia and Raul were Charter members of the American G.I. Forum. They joined the G.I. Forum and Dr. Hector Garcia in Corpus Christi fighting for the right of Mexican veterans to receive the same benefits as white veterans. Olivia was the first Union City school crossing guard hired by the Union City Police Department in the early 60’s. She worked as a Caregiver for children and seniors and was a full-time homemaker. As a young woman she worked as an elevator girl and later at a potato chip factory where she met Raul in Corpus Christi. Olivia will be buried with her husband Raul at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. A private service will be held for the family at Chapel of Roses in Fremont. Contributions in memory of Olivia can be made to the social service agency Centro de Servicios in Union City or to the Eden Youth Center in Hayward.