- Date Of Birth: September 11, 1909
- Date Of Death: November 25, 2013
- State: California
Grace Ruelas Ayon, born in Azusa on September 11, 1909, passed away on November 25, 2013, of natural causes at the age of 104. A life-long Azusa resident, she was Azusa’s oldest and longest resident and was honored by the City of Azusa in 1998 for this distinction. The city also celebrated her 99th and 100th birthdays by presenting her with proclamations in her honor.
Grace was an award-winning dancer along with her husband of 53 years, Robert Rivera Ayon, Sr., who preceded her in death on April 18, 1983. A champion bowler, Grace was a founding member and President of the Azusa Tournament Club at the now-defunct Azusa Lanes.
Grace was devoted to her family and is survived by her daughter-in-law, Micaela Ayon; six grandchildren, Dennis Ayon, Mike Avalos, Kathleen Dominguez, Steven Dominguez, Gary Garcia (Kathy), and Darren Palmer (Jamie); grandson-in-law Mike Segura; 24 great-grandchildren; 39 great-great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves many beloved nieces, nephews, grand- nieces and nephews, and “honorary” relatives.
Grace is also predeceased by her three children, Robert Ayon, Jr., Virginia Avalos, and Dora Palmer; son-in-law Kenneth “Pops” Palmer; three grandchildren, Richard Garcia, Karen Segura, and Janice Ayon; one great-grandson, Richard Ayon Chagolla; and her brother, Manuel “Chachi” Cruz Ruelas, and sister, Hortense Gonzalez.
