Dolores Preciado Ambriz

Dolores Preciado Ambriz, aka Lola, passed away in her home late Thursday evening on September 3, 2026, comforted by the presence of her family and loved ones. Dolores was a dedicated mother, spouse, grandmother, daughter, hermana, tia, prima and amiga for life.

Dolores was born on December 24, 1933, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. She was the first born and helped raise 13 brothers and sisters.

She immigrated to Tijuana, Mexico and began working in the United States in 1953 for a retired Naval Officer and his wife. There she met Ponciano Ambriz in El Cajon, California. He served as foreman on avocado orchard while she maintained the couple’s household. In 1955, they decided to marry and traveled to Watsonville, California for better opportunities. Dad found work at Frank Capurro and Son farm in Moss Landing. Both worked picking radishes and parsley. In the mid-fifties, she had three children; Norma, Rodolfo and Antonio.

Dolores didn’t like the fields, so she started working in the canneries in Watsonville. This led to attending Adult School to obtain her GED and U.S. Citizenship. This also led to several positions as a housekeeper in several local establishments and earning “employee of the month”. Her final position before retirement was working for the Pajaro Valley School District as a Kitchen Assistant.

Dolores was an avid seamstress and crafts person. She produced many quilts, crochet dollies, knitted tops, scarves, newborn outfits, etc.

In addition to her parents, Dolores is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Ponciano Ambriz, and her siblings, Fausto, Fernando, Luis, Guillermo, Maria, Antonia and Elvira. She is survived by her three children, Norma, Rodolfo and Antonio, her son-in-law Felix, and four grandchildren, Emilio, Marisol, Mateo and May. She also leaves behind her siblings, Margarita, Elena, Consuelo, Enedina, Jesus and Oscar and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel on September 27, 2026 with a viewing from 5-9pm and a bilingual rosary at 7pm. The following morning on Monday, September 28th, 2026, a Funeral Mass will be held at 10am at St Patrick’s Church. A brunch will be held in her honor from 11:45-1:45pm at Jalisco Restaurant on Main Street, Watsonville, California.