It was standing room only at the Yucca Valley Community Center Friday, as hundreds of residents came together to celebrate the life of Mara Cantelo, the founder of Tender Loving Christmas. Friends and colleagues shared memories of how they met Cantelo; her years with the American Red Cross; how she was the champion of the under-served and the homeless; her efforts to decorate Highway 62 with 42 miles of yellow ribbons to welcome home the Marines after the Iraq war; and her impact on the community through Tender Loving Christmas. Managing editor Tami Roleff was at the memorial, and says Christmas just won’t be the same without Mara Cantelo…
Speaker after speaker all spoke of the big heart of Mara Cantelo, who for 33 years, organized Tender Loving Christmas in Yucca Valley, where thousands of people were able to eat a free Christmas buffet and wouldn’t have to be alone on Christmas.
Rick Hayes reminded the crowd why they were there.
“I will not mourn her passing but celebrate her existence.”
Gary Daigneault said she never thought about herself, but always others.
“I can’t think of anybody that I’ve ever known in my life who more embodies service above self than Mara Cantelo. She always put her personal needs behind what she can do for other people. Every year she pulled off our own little Christmas miracle.”
Gigi Connell said Cantelo will be missed.
“Christmas Day, it just won’t be the same without seeing her colorful hair, but despite the chaos, she always had a smile on her face.”
And Cindy Melland said with the help of hundreds of volunteers, Cantelo always managed to pull it off, when others doubted it could be done.
“Together we can do things. But Mara, she showed us in epic proportions how that works. She never ever lost faith.”
Cantelo’s sister Lisa Beatty asked that Tender Loving Christmas continue.
“Please carry on her legacy.”
It’s unclear who will try to fill Cantelo’s shoes in organizing Tender Loving Christmas this year.
