María Soledad Chavez, 89, a long-time resident of Santa Barbara, died on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital after a long and full life. Maria, known as Soledad or Chole, was born in El Salitre, Teocaltiche, Jalisco, México, on July 1, 1935. She came to Santa Barbara in 1963 and soon after married Jose Chavez in 1964 in Ensenada, Mexico. Their union produced two daughters.

Soledad worked as a seamstress for many years at Sierra West Big Dogs, a trade she learned as a young girl growing up in Mexico.  After leaving Big Dogs, she decided to work for herself and began cleaning homes. She developed lifelong friendships with those she worked with. Soledad was a devout Catholic who attended mass every Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. She enjoyed spending time with family, cooking and gardening. She had a huge heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to others in need. She was a giving person who always put her family and friends first.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who was proud of her family. Soledad was predeceased by her husband, Jose, her parents, Damaso and Inés Hinojos, her beloved brothers, Leovijildo and Jose Hinojos, and her beloved sister, Teresa Hinojos Romo. She is survived by her sister, Esperanza Lozano and her two daughters, Anna Chavez of Santa Barbara and Celia Chavez Kong (Peter) of San Francisco.  She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Jacqueline Quin Kong and Alexander Joseph Kong of San Francisco in addition to several nieces and nephews.

The Rosary service will be held on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at 7 p.m., and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., both at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Interment will follow immediately after the Mass at Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services.