Obituary of Lydia Marie Bernal

Lydia Marie Bernal Lydia Marie Murrietta was born July 27, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, to Francisco and Micaela Murrietta. She was the second eldest of five sisters, Annie the eldest, Lydia, Delia, Mitzi and Armida. Lydia met her husband, Arthur, working for the Vasquez Circus, setting up tents when his parents were working as trapeze artists. Soon after they married and, through the years, raised three children, Ruben, Dora and Eleanor (Sandra). Arthur joined the Army during WWII. While away at war, Mom maintained a nice vegetable garden, along with flowers; her favorites were roses. Her favorite pastime was sewing. Mom would always sew our Easter outfits. To make extra money, she worked as a seamstress and recruited Ruben to stand in as a manikin because he was the tallest. I would snicker and laugh at him while he moaned and groaned. I could see Mom trying not to laugh, but we’d all burst out in laughter. Mom loved to dance. Every weekend, Mom and Pop would head out dancing at the Hollywood Palladium. She would always get excited to get ready and dress up in her pretty dresses. Mom was also adventurous. The day Pop bought a motorcycle, she hopped on back and went for her first ride and loved it! She said, “It was fun and I loved going fast!” When we were in elementary and junior high school, we’d be out playing with our neighborhood friends, but come sunset like clockwork, Mom would yell at the top of her lungs, “Ruben, Dora, Sandra!” We could hear it from anywhere in the block! We would always promptly run home on time so she wouldn’t get upset. There was a time when we moved to a new home and it was near the railroad tracks, literally, right next door. If the train came by and we had a visitor, we would tell them to stop talking for a minute till the train went by. Mom had a good heart; the hobos would always knock on the door begging for food, and they always left with a sack lunch. J We will miss her laughter, her smile and her funny little quirks. For instance, one time we were at the Mall, and here we go again! Mom had to sneeze. That was no ordinary sneeze like achoo. It was a yelling sneeze!! When she sneezed, the mall guard plus loads of people came running toward us; they thought someone was being attacked! Needless to say, it was embarrassing! But, that’s our mom! She was a caring, loving person with a great sense of humor. She will be missed! The family would like to thank the Providence Mother Joseph Care Center’s staff of doctors, nurses, custodians, food servers, laundry personnel, and support staff for all your good care, love, friendliness, compassion and attention provided to our Mom. We appreciate all that you do. We could not have done it without you all. Thank you for coming to celebrate our Mother’s Life…. God Bless You All!! Please leave memories of Lydia or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.