Georgia Pearl (Degrande) Estupiñan

1929 - 2023

A beloved mother, motherin-law, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and a Quechan tribal member of the Fort Yuma Indian Tribe, Georgia passed peacefully with family at bedside on February 28, 2023.

Georgia was born and raised in Winterhaven, CA. She was the fourth of 16 children. Somewhere along the way in Georgia's life, she decided she wanted to make sure everyone always remembered her birthday so she let it be known that she was born on the fourth of July. All the family will tell you she was born on Independence Day. She was 93.

Georgia and Bernardo were married March 25, 1949, after he returned from the Navy. Georgia was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years and grandson, Nicholas Ruboyianes. They had four children, Yolanda Ruboyianes (Chris), Patricia Martinez (Ike), Bobby Estupiñan (Rosemary), and Greg Estupiñan. She also had five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Georgia is survived by three sisters and one brother, Frances Derma, Mary Bland, Linda Cachora and William Degrande. She leaves behind her beloved cat, Raisan.

She will always be remembered as the matriarch of the family and a woman with a huge heart. She knew what was going on in the lives of everyone in her family and cared deeply for everyones well-being. Her four children were very fortunate to have had her be a stayat-home mom. Her cooking was legendary, especially her string-tied tamales. The absolute best! She did have some priorities in life and one of these was having her hair done every week. Georgia was able to remain at home thanks to her son, Gregory, and so many great neighbors, particularly Martin Amado.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Isaac Martinez, Alan Bernard Martinez, Eric Martinez, Ian Martinez, Michael Ruboyianes, and Frankie Fregoso. Honorary pallbearers include Lorey Calchora, Crystel Cachora, David Degrande, George Martinez, and Martin Amado.

Services will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 11:00 am. Immediately following, all are welcome to join us at her final resting place (next to her husband) at Desert Lawn Memorial Park. A reception will be held on the grounds shortly thereafter.

The immediate family would like to thank her sisters, Linda Cachora and Frances Derma for being present for the remaining two days while Georgia was in the hospital. While we will always hold on to the memories, all we can do is believe that her and Bernardo are dancing as they loved doing for so many years of their lives.