Mercedes Saldivar De Haro (de López)

Mercedes Saldívar De Haro (de López)

Accompanied by her loving family, on the morning of Saturday, October 17, 2026 our beloved: mother, grandmother, great grandmother, loving widow, Foster grandparent, local long-standing childcare provider, local folk artist/cultural resource and loyal parishioner of St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, was called to join her husband of 73 years (Pedro López) to be with our Heavenly Father.

Mercedes was the youngest daughter of 5 children raised by Aurelio Saldívar Ponce and Maria de Jesus De Haro De Santiago. Born on September 24, 1933, in Los Haro, Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. Of her siblings; Antonio, Rafaela, Miguel, and Seferino she was the last surviving sibling. Los Haro, her place of birth, was founded in the 1600s by her ancestors. Since the beginning, the rancho had three main neighborhoods, named after the three principal families; De Haro, Santiago, and Saldivar. Mercedes’ family were and are proud, hardworking and spiritually grounded people that have persevered and endured wars of Independence, Revolution, Cristeros, depressions, plagues and the turning tides of immigration history between Mexico and the United States. Her father Aurelio (Lelo), is recognized as a Revolucionario, with historically archived battles, including “La Toma de Zacatecas.” Her mother, Maria de Jesus (Chita) was a Partera (midwife) and Curandera (herbalist and healer). After the Mexican Revolution and the conclusion of the Cristeros conflict, the family moved to La Colonia Modelo, more commonly known as “La Leona”. Here is where she was raised and was part of forming a new community along with many families from Los Haro, including the López family. The eldest of the López, Pedro, “pidio”, formally asked Don Aurelio and Doña Jesusita for their permission to marry Mercedes in 1951.

Mercedes gave birth to 9 children, sadly the first three, Teodoro, Evelia and Carmela did not survive; neither did her grandson Eric Rodriguez. She is survived by her six children, Ana Maria López Arroyo (Jorge), Antonio S. López (Johanna), Gerardo S. López (Martha), Hugo S. López (Gloria), Lucina López, Elodia López Rodriguez (José Luis); seventeen grandchildren, Araceli Arroyo-Ramirez (Luis), Angelica Arroyo-Perez (Julian), Jorge Arroyo, AnaMarisa López-Grebil (Matt), Jessica Gonzalez (Eddi), Cristina López, Antonio López, Amanda López, Erika López, Marcos López (Adriana), Adan López, Hector Sandoval (Kimmie), Adrian Sandoval, Isa López, Alejandro Rodriguez (Magalli), Gabriel Rodriguez (Roselyn), Mateo Rodriguez; eight great grandchildren, Mireyli Arroyo Ramirez, Elias Arroyo Ramirez, Edgar Arroyo Ramirez, Aztlán Arroyo Perez, Nico Sandoval, Auggie Rodriguez, Francisco Gonzalez, Mia Sandoval.

After one year of marriage, from 1952-1963, Mercedes was a single parent while Pedro worked in the United States as a contracted Bracero. He would come home in between three month contracts and then return to the states. While contracted in Sebastopol he developed a friendship with a foreman and his family, Carl and Grace Trent. Carl sponsored Pedro, and in 1960, he became a legal resident, and eventually a naturalized citizen, as did Mercedes. In 1963 she and their four children joined Pedro in Ukiah. For ten years they lived and worked at the Lane Ranch, working in the pear and prune orchards. During this time the two younger children were born. Mercedes raised six children and also worked in the fields. She and the children picked grapes at Parducci’s and for other local grape growers. Through work, school, church, the grocery store and social gatherings Mercedes met other local Mexican families. Many of these families became longtime friends and some were in need of childcare, and Mercedes volunteered her services. Some compensated her and she was encouraged to secure a daycare license, and she eventually did! Mercedes established a successful and sought out service, and she took care of many children from this community besides her own. This time of year was always special for her because during Halloween many, if not all of her former daycare children would come by to trick or treat, but mostly to check in and get the Mercedes smile and hug.

It is difficult to speak of Mercedes and Pedro separately, because they complemented each other so well. Mercedes and Pedro will be remembered as original founders of La Leona! As every community in Mexico has its patron saint, La Leona through the local church honors La Santa Virgen de Guadalupe on her day, the 12th of December. Mercedes and Pedro have always been true believers in the love and miracles bestowed upon us by La Virgen de Guadalupe. They were instrumental and took lead roles in initiating masses in Spanish at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Securing and placing the image of La Santa Virgin De Guadalupe in the Church; initiating, organizing, and celebrating the annual December 12th Día de la Virgen celebration. Equally, Mercedes worked side by side with Pedro and other community members to establish the Concilio Latino Americano of Mendocino County. This nonprofit organization's stated purpose/mission was “To promote whatever program, be it local, state, federal or private, whose motive is to eliminate the causes of social injustice and raise the social and economic level to the Latin community.” They organized annual cultural celebrations where the community would gather with traditional music, dance and food to raise scholarship funds. Mercedes was active in preparing traditional Mexican cuisine for these events. Additionally, she assisted in developing the first local youth Ballet Folclórico. This included hand crafting the traditional attire the youth wore.

It was in preparation for these religious and cultural celebrations that Mercedes discovered, developed and then later went on to teach and share her artistic talents and gifts. She was a natural teacher and easily connected with children and appreciative parents. Her work is well chronicled. The local Art Council developed a video titled, Los Colores de Merced, showcasing her work as she shared her traditional artistic talents with school children throughout the county. Additionally she is featured in Las Mujeres: Mexican American/Chicana Women. In 1991 the National Women’s History Project put out a booklet including a photo display and bilingual biographies of seventeen women from the Spanish colonial period to the present. Besides being one of the seventeen women, along with Rosita the Riveter and Dolores Huerta, Mercedes along with her eldest granddaughter, Araceli, are on the cover of the Photo Display. She is listed as a Folk artist, cultural resource. She is discribed as a talented, imaginative woman, playing an important role in her community as a Folk artist and cultural resource person. “She is a piñata maker, sews clothes and traditional Mexican costumes, teaches folk songs, traditional recipes, and the art of Mexican paper cutting to her grandchildren and to local school children.” Mercedes is quoted saying “Ever since we came here and became part of this community, I’ve liked sharing what I know, keeping our culture alive. What gives me pleasure is sharing and teaching what I know, answering the questions, not keeping it all here inside of me. And it makes me very happy when the children learn what I have to teach, and when they feel proud that it’s part of their culture.” Mercedes continued to pour into her community even after she closed her daycare practice. She continued her commitment and devotion to the St. Mary’s Parish, and also became involved in the Foster Grandparent Program for many years. Most of her volunteer work through this program was at Grace Hudson Elementary school where her two daughters, Ana Maria and Lucina taught. As the Grace Hudson Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, Ukiah its 150th, and our nation’s 250th, the museum is commemorating these milestones with the exhibit, Deep Valley: People, Places, Memory. Mercedes and her family are featured as part of the exhibit. Mercedes has enriched and shared her talents with every community she’s graced. The volume of work noted above earned her the title of “Doña Mercedes”!

Mercedes, like her husband, was an involved parent and community member, she always included the family in her community projects. She was very proud of her family and what they achieved and accomplished since the days in the fields. Working as a family and with her “Sí Se Puede” mind-set, her dream and goal to purchase a family home was achieved in 1973. Many of her children and grandchildren have embraced her drive and passion for teaching/education and others are professionals in the service sector. Many have been recognized as outstanding in their respective fields! As a loving mother and a natural teacher, her life lessons were powerful, and incorporated work ethic, responsibility, respect, resiliency, service to others and a strong spiritual foundation. Her lessons have provided the López Saldivar family the foundation to strive and emulate the unselfish, caring and beautiful life Mercedes lived. Her values will be passed on to the grand and great grandchildren, and they will surely pay it forward!. Mercedes Saldivar De Haro was loved by many, in her 93 years of life, she was always cariñosa and extended her love to many. She created a legacy that will live forever and guide her family! Now Doña Mercedes and Don Pedro are looking down upon us and will continue to guide and support their family and the community that they loved so much. Doña Mercedes descanse en paz y que luzca para Usted la luz perpetua!

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 29, 2026, 5:00pm at Eversole Mortuary with Recitation of the Rosary held at 6:00pm at the mortuary.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church.

Celebration of Life Location following the burial:

Gather Events Ukiah

4800 Burke Hill Rd.

Ukiah, Ca 95482