Obituaries

Raquel Aguayo Riffel passed away on July 6, at the age of 72, in Fremont at her home surrounded by family, following a 26 month determined fight against pancreatic cancer. She was the fourth daughter of Phillip and Mary Aguayo and grew up in the San Fernando Valley.

Raquel graduated from William Howard Taft High School. She went on to Loma Linda University where she received her bachelor and master degrees in Nursing. For more than four decades, Raquel worked first for the Santa Clara Public Health Department and for thirty-three years for the Alameda County Public Health Department. She was a supervising public health nurse until her retirement in 2013. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors honored Raquel for her outstanding service to the County and the community.

In 2002, Raquel coordinated the Bi-National California Mexico Health Initiative and ensured its continuation until her retirement. Raquel remained involved in several community organizations with a focus on health, education, mentorship and the arts. She volunteered with the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, South Hayward Parish, Street Level Health Project, Sun Gallery and LACA Foundation where she served as its Treasurer.

Raquel is survived by her sisters Martha Galaif and Adelina “Nina” Sorkin, numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephew and grandnieces. She was preceded in death by her sister Elisa Elnaccash and parents Phillip and Mary Aguayo.

Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills. A Memorial is planned in San Leandro.