Louise Serafina Trometter, 99, a descendant of one of San Diego’s oldest Spanish families, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 25. She was a member of the fifth generation of the Serrano family, who were native San Diegans.
Louise's great-great-great-grandfather was Francisco Serrano, a leather jacket soldier who was major domo and corporal of the guard at Mission San Diego de Alcala soon after Fr. Junipero Serra brought Christianity to San Diego in 1769.
Her great-great-grandfather was José Leandro Serrano, an official for the Spanish government who played an important part in early California history, serving under Pío Pico in the Mexican War and participating in the Battle of San Pasqual.
Her paternal great-grandfather, José Serrano, owned the ranch familiar in history for the Pauma Massacre of December 1846. It was the Pauma ranch where Mrs. Trometter's grandfather, Luis Serrano, a prominent San Diegan, lived during his youth. Luis Serrano, who died here in 1933 at the age of 88, was considered an authority on early Southern California history, having spent his entire life in the region.
Her maternal great-grandfather was Captain Jack Stewart, whose adventures of early California coastline exploration were documented in the book Two Years Before the Mast.
Her grandmother, Serafina Stewart Serrano, was raised in La Casa de Machado y Stewart, a home listed as a California Historic Landmark in 1932 and presently, a historical museum in Old Town State Park. Louise spent most of her childhood frequenting the residence.
The daughter of Earl D. Ensign and Mamie Serrano Ensign, a lifelong parishioner and Third Order of St Francis at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Louise was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Old Town church.
In March 1939 she wed Robert E. “Bull” Trometter. She was the consummate wife and homemaker as her husband, who she referred to adoringly as “Trom,” rose from San Diego athlete and U.S. Marine Corps Officer to coaching legend. “Trom” predeceased Louise in January 1997. They were married for nearly 58 years.
Louise, an avid sports fan, loved her San Diego Padres and Chargers (even after the team’s move to Los Angeles!). She was also the “Number 1” fan of pro golfer and fellow San Diegan, Phil Mickelson.
Above all, Louise cherished human connections, especially her relationships with family and friends. She was unpretentious, opinionated, profoundly loyal, and never went a day without her lipstick (Louise told her granddaughter this was her secret to longevity). The truest combination of grit and grace, she loved fiercely, and she was so loved in return.
Louise is survived by her four children, Roberta Mathews, Fernandina Beach, FL; Betty Crawford, San Diego, CA; Robert M. Trometter, Philadelphia, PA and Michael P. Trometter, Vicksburg, MI; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Old Town scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at 9:30 am with internment at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to follow at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be sent to the Robert E. 'Bull' Trometter Memorial athletic scholarship fund at Cathedral High School.
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