Cecilia Cabrera-Urango

Cecilia (Cece, Chila) Cabrera-Urango was called to heaven after a sudden illness.  Cece, the first daughter of Gilberto and Rose Mary Cabrera was born November 15, 1961 in Oxnard.  Cece attended St. Anthony's Catholic School, Santa Clara High School, Ventura and Oxnard Colleges and Cal State Northridge.  A registered nurse, Cece recently graduated with distinction from CSU Northridge with a Masters in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Sector Management and Leadership.  She dreamed of opening a clinic.

It is too hard to describe the influence Cece had on her family, co-workers, friends and strangers.  Foremost among her many roles was her most significant, as the dedicated wife and partner to her husband Kevin.  Kevin and Cece have been a formidable team over the past thirty plus years.  They started with little more than a deep love and determination.  Many peanut butter sandwiches sustained them through trainings, certifications, and new jobs.  Together, they built the foundation for a beautiful family.  First they welcomed Veronica Rose, and fifteen years later, Kevin David.  As a mother, Cece was nurturing and resourceful.  She exposed her children to learning and wonder at an early age.  She showered them with fierce love and protection.

Cece was guided by faith and a strong moral compass, and set a wonderful example for those whose lives she touched.  At each school she ever attended or job she had, she made friends that would last a lifetime.  Cece always found a way to draw the best from everyone.  She could scan a room and know who needed a hug, which person could make her a deal, and who needed help she could offer.  Cece was the guiding light for her brothers and sisters.  For others she was a warm embrace, welcoming smile, cheerleader, friend, editor, confidante, party-planner.

Cece's vocation was health care.  Cece was admired by many for her dedication, professionalism and passion for her work.  Cece spent the early years of her career as a floor nurse at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.  On the floor, she connected with her patients as she met their medical needs.  She transitioned into surgical nursing.  An injury to her arm brought her back to college to finish her bachelor's degree.  By then a mother, she juggled the needs of her family with the rigors of college courses both at the extension campus as well as at Northridge.  She encouraged her sisters towards college degrees, taking course with each at Oxnard College.  She was in the first class to graduate on the Cal State Channel Islands campus.  

With her BA and RN, she entered the world of public health.  Once again, she brought her talent to connect with others to her work with new mothers and mothers-to-be.  Cece was especially proud of her work with assisting mothers with their newborns and First 5 California program.  Her insatiable need for useful information led her to learn more about supporting these mothers and their children.  Throughout her professional career, she demonstrated the importance of dignity while caring for others.

Though she was an exceptional people person, she also was a natural leader:  tenacious, organized and forward thinking.  Recognizing her own potential, she entered the masters of administration program at CSUN.  She only recently completed the program and would have accepted her degree at the Honors Convocation on May 20^th.  Her work in that program was of the highest caliber, but even more important was the collegiality she brought to her classes and cohort.  She worked in concert with her classmates to prepare for comprehensive exams last fall.  Even after we lost our beloved brother, Greg, she continued to give the work and her study group 110%. 

Cece spent many years as a camp counselor at the now defunct Lazy J Ranch Camp in Malibu.  Starting as a junior counselor at 15, she continued to work at camp as a counselor, camp nurse and cook.  She was especially fond of being assigned to the young girls, mothering them as though they were her own all summer long.  At “The J”, Cece formed and fostered many cherished relationships that have endured long after the last campfire song was sung.  Yerba Buena Canyon, where the camp was nestled held a special place in Cece’s heart.  

Cece sought adventure, loved to travel, camp, and explore.  Cece was a competitive board-gamer, gifted athlete, wonderful photographer, talented cook, and patient gardener.  She enjoyed attending her children's sporting events, being their constant cheering section.

No story about Cece's life would be complete without animals.  Given the opportunity, she would have had a farm full of critters.  As pets, over the years, she had rats, fish, birds, salamanders, cats, dogs, ducks and chickens.  Just as with people, she connected to animals in a special way – loving and respecting all God's creatures, except maybe mosquitoes.  She treasured her pets' loyalty and friendship.  She taught her children to love the gifts pets give us, too.

 As a family, we draw inspiration from both her hard work and compassionate spirit.  We know that she touched countless lives.  Perhaps if Cece’s flame didn’t burn so brightly, and at both ends, she could have lived to be 100.  But then she wouldn’t have been the brilliant beacon of love that is by far her lasting legacy.  We grieve her loss in our lives, but also for those she had yet to meet.  In death, she gave life to others.  We hope you will also draw inspiration from her life and that we all can find solace in having been part of her bright orbit. 

Cecilia is survived by her devoted husband, Kevin Urango, her beloved children, Veronica Rose and Kevin David.  She is also survived by her parents, Gilberto and Rose Mary Cabrera, and preceded in death by her older brother, Greg.  She leaves three younger siblings, Anna, Tim, and Angelique.  She will be remembered fondly by her in-laws, Joseph Fox (Hilda), Rosa Conway (Gerald), Randy Urango (Kim), Joseph Urango (Lisa), Daniel Urango, Carolina Cabrera and Kristina Cabrera.  Her love for her nieces and nephews, Stacey, Randy, Audree, Marcus, Matthew, Cameron, Quetzalli, Noah and Evie, will never die.  Cecilia will also be missed by her many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  
 

In lieu of flowers, we ask you make a donation to the Cabrera Scholarship Fund - in Greg & Cecilia's honor. Oxnard College Foundation will match dollar for dollar the funds raised. This endowment will allow students to further their education at Oxnard College for years to come. Please contact the Foundation in order to donate:  805-986-5889.