IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing Lilia Vargas-Grado on her 75th Birthday.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22300, June 8, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Lilia Vargas-Grado was born on June 13, 1951, in El Paso, Texas, to Josefina and Margarito Vargas; and,
WHEREAS, Lilia was the fourth of more than twenty children born into a hardworking Mexican American family, rooted in Chihuahua, Mexico, El Paso, Texas, and Kansas City, Missouri; and,
WHEREAS, as one of the oldest daughters, Lilia naturally stepped into the role of caregiver early in life, helping raise many of her younger brothers and sisters, at the same time, her mother worked as a seamstress and cared for their large family; and,
WHEREAS, Lilia was known for her strength, kindness, and relentless work ethic throughout her neighborhood and community; and,
WHEREAS, Lilia worked for RCA for years until the company closed, she later worked in a law office while also waitressing at Los Corrals downtown for more than twenty years, always doing whatever was necessary to provide for her family; and,
WHEREAS, she was married to her husband for 51 years and devoted herself completely to her children, her home, strangers, and her loved ones; and,
WHEREAS, Lilia’s greatest gift has always been her heart, her home became a safe place not only for her own children but also for countless others who needed guidance, love, discipline, a babysitter, or simply a place to belong; and,
WHEREAS, many of those children, now grown, still return to thank her for the care and stability she gave them during difficult times; and,
WHEREAS, a lifelong caregiver, Lilia cared for her mother, stood beside her husband until his passing, and continued serving others through hospice caregiving and prayer; and,
WHEREAS, Lilia is a leader and a well-known mother and grandmother figure in the historic westside community of Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, to those who know her, Lilia carries a rare warmth and spirit that cannot easily be explained - only felt, her life has been built on faith, sacrifice, compassion, and unconditional love, leaving a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Jackson County Legislature recognizes Lilia Vargas-Grado’s 75th Birthday.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22300 of June 8, 2026, was duly passed on ___________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays ____________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
______________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature