Zelda was the oldest of three children born to Manuel Enos Vargas and Mabel Texeira Marciel. She had a younger brother, Daniel, and a sister, Geraldine, along with two other half sisters, Elaine and Dorothy, from her mother's previous marriage. Zelda was actually named after her mother, and the name "Mabel" appeared on her birth certificate. Zelda however, only remembered being called Zelda and later amended her birth record to reflect that. Zelda graduated from Castro Valley grammar school and went on to attend Hayward High School from 1940 to 1943 but was not able to graduate as she had to go to work. Her parents divorced and times were hard. Zelda went to live with a Greek family and took care of their three children while she continued high school. She worked for "The Owl", a restaurant on Mission Street in Hayward, where she worked for one year before taking a job at a French Laundry, again for one year. Zelda then went to work for the Friden Calculator on Washington Street in San Leandro, as an inspector. Zelda worked there for 23 years, until 1969, taking time off to have her two children, Linda and Earl.

Zelda met the love of her life in October of 1944 in front of See's Candy Store on "B" Street in Hayward where she was waiting for her ride to work at Friden's. Melvin Vargas was 23 years old and was also on his way to work that day. He was in a car with some friends and they stopped so Melvin could jump out to buy a pack of cigarettes. One of Melvin's friends saw Zelda and said to him, "That girl likes you. Go over and ask her for a date!" Zelda reminisced telling this story in 1997, saying that he did as instructed but that his face was red, as he was bashful! Melvin asked her to a dance at the Newark Pavilion which was their first date. They saw each other every day for 7 months before they married at All Saints Catholic Church in Hayward on May 27, 1945. They honeymooned in Santa Cruz and then settled down to married life in a cozy little home on Foothill Avenue in Hayward. Aside from a short time in Newark, they lived in Hayward until 1974 when they moved to Sonora, California. While keeping their home in Sonora, Zelda and Melvin spent time away at intervals over a four year span working for Circus Vargas which was owned by Melvin's brother, Clifford. Zelda did booking keeping and advance work and they were afforded many great experiences seeing America with the traveling tent circus. Zelda also had stories to tell about delivering turkeys for Diestel Family Ranch. Zelda and Melvin celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends in May of 1995. Melvin died the following June.

Zelda found love once more with Ernie Vargas, who was Melvin's first cousin who had been widowed in 1989. They began dating in November of 1997 and were married in February 1999. Zelda said that when she and Ernie went to get their marriage license, the county clerk said that she had never met a person who had the same maiden name, first marriage name, and second marriage name! The couple brought much joy to each other in the short time they were given, as Ernie passed away in May of 1999.

Zelda spent her last years in Bullhead City and Kingman Arizona near her daughter Linda, who preceded her in death in September of 2019. It was hard for Zelda to comprehend the loss of her daughter and her health failed. Throughout her time on earth, despite obstacles and losses, Zelda was full on energy, enthusiasm and a zest for life, an outlook that served her well for 95 years.
Copyright Susan Vargas Murphy. All rights reserved.