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ZUNIGA BRIGGS -- ORALIA "LALA" passed away on June 7th 2012, just four days before her 72nd Birthday. She was born June 11th, 1940 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Anita Duarte Zuniga and Lorenzo Zuniga. She was the second of eight children. Lala enjoyed every day that was given to her. Though she suffered through times of pain, she chose to overcome this pain, with a quiet strength and a resolute spirit. She lived life with unparalleled integrity, compassion and kindness. Her well-being was enhanced through her faith, and her love of exercise. Lala was an avid sports fan, with the San Francisco Giants being her favorite team. She loved cultural events, especially the San Francisco Ballet. She was extremely active in her community, devoting time and boundless energy to a number of organizations in Sonoma, CA. Lala traveled the world, always finding lasting friendships along her journeys. She deeply appreciated the loving, wonderful friendships she developed throughout her entire life. Teaching proved to be her calling and enduring passion. Her 50-year career began in Albuquerque, NM, then onto San Rafael, where she taught middle-school, and ending in Sonoma, CA. In her later years, she was delighted to work with younger students and in special needs classrooms. Lala had a magical way with children, beautiful to behold. She will be remembered fondly as a firm but loving teaching style, her creativity, and her belief that every child is an individual with extraordinary potential. Lala is lovingly remembered by her only child, Celina Lynn Briggs, of Sonoma, CA, and Celina's partner, Kevin Michael Walker. Lala is preceded in death by her brother, Eduardo Zuniga, of Taos, NM. She is survived by Lorenzo Zuniga Jr., Hortencia Zuniga Chavez, Ricardo Zuniga, of Albuquerque, NM, Ophelia Zuniga DuBois, of Amarillo, TX, Orcelia Zuniga Forbes, of Portland, OR, and Orlando Zuniga, of Anchorage, AK. She also has a large, loving, extended family, in Denver, CO and in Birmingham, AL. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 22nd, 2012, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Sonoma, CA. A reception will follow at Quarry Hill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen, CA.
        Published on: Sun June 17, 2012