FiFi Marie
Moran Sifuentez Jasso
FiFi Marie
Moran Sifuentez Jasso died Saturday (March 10, 2007) at Stormont-Vail Hospital
in Topeka.
She was born
to Inosencia and Dario (Moran) Sifuentez in Newton. This lifelong Newtonian was
an advocate for Chicano rights and cultural awareness. As part of the 16th of
September committee, she assisted in bringing to Newton the only Governors
Mexican American Heritage ceremonies held outside of Topeka in 1989, in addition
to bringing the first Mexican-American bishop of the United States as the grand
marshall of Newton Fiesta.
She was a
spiritual leader. She was the "prayer lady" for her community since
age 12, always on call for the sick and the dying. She was a member of Our Lady
of Guadalupe Catholic Church and enjoyed her many roles with the altar society,
CCD instructor, member of the adoration society and help with her daughter in
fund-raising to send a youth group to dance before Pope John Paul II in Denver
and to travel to World Youth Days in Rome and Canada.
She was an
advocate for educational and civil rights. She would go to bat for students who
were discriminated against. She was a local and national leader for the
American G.I. Forum. Additionally, in 2000, she served on the site council for
Newton High School for many years and always was a participant for in school
activities such as PTA and was the chaperone for the Newton High all-night
parties for several years. She enjoyed sports and played softball for the
Mexican American Women's league and was a coach for girl's softball for the
YMCA.
She was
active in the community as a member of the visitors bureau group, which
established the Chisholm Trail Festival. Additionally she was a lifelong voting
member and Democratic Precinct committee women.
She was a
devoted wife and caring friend, but her greatest love was being a mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors
include her husband, Antonio Jasso of Newton; sisters, Leandra Sanchez of La
Habra, Calif., and Elsie Gonzalez of Newton; daughters, Paula Jasso and Toni
Alica Grimsley (Kirk) of Topeka, Eva Jasso Murad (Deen Murad) of Olathe, and
Reina Gutierrez (Phillip Gutierrez) of Castle Rock, Colo.; sons, Robert Jasso
(Karen) of Shawnee and Anthony Jasso (Denise) of Moundridge; 10 grandchildren;
and six great-grandchildren.
She was
preceded in death by her parents, and 15 brothers and sisters. She was the last
of 16 siblings.
Recitation
of the Holy Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral
Home in Newton.
Service will
be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Fathers
Floyd McKinney and Francis Cox officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's
Catholic Cemetery in Newton.
Memorials
may be made to FiFi Jasso Memorial Fund in care of Mid-Kansas Credit Union.
