Millie Cruz

On Monday, September 8th at 12.45 a.m., Millie J. Cruz, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at the age of 85.
Millie’s mother, Andrea Tirado and Millie’s brother, Roberto Tirado are resting in peace at Forest Lawn in Glendale, CA. Her late husband, Jesse O. Cruz is resting in peace at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Chatsworth. Millie will be resting in peace at Desert Lawn Cemetery in Palmdale, CA, so she can be close to her surviving family.
Millie was born on November 27, 1934 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She moved to Brooklyn, New York at the age of 22 to provide a better future for her eldest daughter and son, Maria DeHostos-Villanueva and Joseph DeHostos after separating from the father of Maria and Joseph.
A few years later, Millie and her mother, Andrea Tirado left Brooklyn, New York for Los Angeles, CA She worked hard to support her children and took her role as mother and provider seriously by making many sacrifices to put their needs ahead of hers.
Eventually, Millie met Jesse O. Cruz and they fell in love. Millie’s children with Jesse O. Cruz, include Jesse Cruz, Jr., Ray Cruz and Catherine Cruz-Ruth.
Millie became a quintessential example of what it means to be a dedicated wife and loving mother. She worked tirelessly to provide comfort and care to her husband and children. More importantly, she would forsake her own goals and desires for the welfare of all her husband and children.
Millie was known to the extended family as a person who showed a great depth of love and kindness. She demonstrated her love through her expertise in the kitchen by going at great lengths to prepare home cooked meals that were loved by all. In Millie’s prime, she was an exceptional home cook and had the type of talent that would have made her a formidable opponent in the popular home cook shows of today.
The extended family always looked forward to the holiday meals, where Millie was the centerpiece of family gatherings that showcased her unique skills and talent in the kitchen. However, she never made the occasion about herself, but rather, would always work diligently behind the scenes so that other’s in the family could take center stage. She demonstrated the self-sacrificing love of Jesus Christ, by allowing everyone’s else’s physical, mental and emotional needs to come before hers.
Millie was affectionate towards her immediate and extended family. She had a bright and sunny disposition and she became giddy with joy when she was presented with grandchildren and great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren that she could shower her love and adoration towards.
Millie became a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and credits the teaching of the Bible for her disposition and outlook in life. She gave herself fully to the Lord in the late 1990’s. She volunteered her time to giving of herself and her talents to the school cafeteria at Lancaster Baptist Church. She derived great joy from volunteering and made many friends through her activities.
Millie is survived by her 5 children, a sister, and the extended family.