Aurora "Rory" Delgado went home to be with her Lord on May 19, 2014 after a second battle with breast cancer. Rory was born in San Francisco, California on October 14, 1943 to Carmen and Frank Caballero. She grew up in Sunnyvale, and graduated from Sunnyvale High in 1961. She married Ray Delgado in 1966 and lived in the Cupertino area for 30 years. During their time in the Bay Area, Rory had an early career as a fashion model, and worked as a senior secretary at Sylvania. As a homemaker she raised their children and was actively involved with the schools, women's Bible study groups as a teacher/mentor, while also becoming a calligrapher, and English is a Second Language (ESL) volunteer teacher to the Vietnamese community in San Jose. She later received her Interior Design Degree and became a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Saratoga. In 2005, Rory and Ray retired and moved to Lodi where they became involved in their community and church, and she volunteered at Pregnancy Resource Center of Lodi.
Rory was a passionate woman, believer in Jesus Christ and was unashamed about sharing her faith. She had a love of learning and studying the history of America, Israel, and the Bible. She was a charismatic communicator, conversationalist, with an artistic flare and attention to detail making her a great storyteller. Rory's love for her family was central to who she was as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Spending time with family bike riding, wine tasting, hiking, camping, water skiing, and house boating on Shasta Lake brought her great joy. Known by her friends as an encourager, prayer warrior, positive, up-beat person and a strong faith-filled woman; known by her grandchildren as Grandma Lodi, or Grandma Sparkle. She has greatly blessed her family and will be remembered and truly missed. Rory is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ray Delgado, her three children Robynn, Roy, and Reid, her six grandchildren, and her sister, Elie Kelly.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2014, at 1pm, at Bethel Church in Lodi (760 South Ham Lane, Lodi, California 95242) with a reception-gathering immediately following. In Rory's honor, and per her request for a joyful celebration, white, light, and bright/cheerful attire is preferred. And of course, sparkle is most definitely welcome!
Donations can be made to the following organizations in Rory's memory as they were both close to her heart. Pregnancy Resource Center of Lodi www.procoflodi.org/ and Alyn Hospital / Israel - Transforming Children's Disabilities into Abilities www.alynhospitalfriends.org/ .
Published by Lodi-News Sentinel from May 29 to Jun. 5, 2014.