Lilia Chita Meza Carlsen

July 5, 1934 - January 31, 2014

Lilia "Chita" Carlsen, 79, from Chula Vista, passed away on January 31, 2014. Lilia was known as "Chita" by her friends & family. Her husband called her "Momma" and all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren lovingly called her "Mom or Ama".

She was born in Tijuana, Mexico on July 5, 1934 to parents Guadalupe Alvarez and Felipe Meza. She grew up with 5 brothers and sisters; Miguel (deceased), Carlos (deceased), Jorge, Yolanda and Carmen.

She was married to Robert "Bob" Carlsen for almost 40 years. Ama worked in manufacturing for a few years; while her children were in school. After some time she decided to stay home and dedicate her life to her family. Ama loved being in her back yard tending to her garden, chickens and bunnies. Ama & Bob spent countless hours in their yard. And with great love and pride, made a house a home.

Mom loved driving, she drove us around to school and work until we were all old enough to drive. Mom loved road trips too! She drove to Texas 3 times and enjoyed driving to see the sites in San Diego and Baja. Anyone who knew her, knew that there were 2 things she never left behind. Her sunglasses and lipstick! Ooh the sunglasses; she liked the kind where you couldn't see her eyes; they wrapped around the sides. She looked like a race car driver and drove like one too.

Ama's cooking was the best. When holidays came around we knew we were in store for a feast. She always took her time to do things right. She chopped & diced with such precision. Her care for detail came through in her cooking. From birthdays to BBQ's she was the chef. If we were sick she knew how to make us feel better; a nice hot caldo. We were fortunate enough to learn some of her recipes and they will definitely be passed on to the younger generations.

Ama loved watching movies from the comfort of her recliner. She loved westerns and scary movies. Although her ultimate favorite was Titanic. Let's not forget to mention her "shows" Ama watched the Young and the Restless for 30+ years. She enjoyed Spanish novelas and a variety of shows.

Bob and Ama spent many Friday & Saturday nights listening to their favorite music artists and bands. Classic rock was their favorite; Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, John Fogerty and Elton John to name a few. They even enjoyed going to a few concerts!

She has 6 children; Maria, John (deceased), Carmen, Lety, Jorge (deceased) and Christina. She has 5 grandchildren; Suzy, Maria, Lilliana, Danny and Henry. She also has 3 great grandchildren; Antonio, Adrian and Yeselle. Ama dedicated her life to all of us "kids". She loved her children dearly each one a different way; but we were all close to her heart. She had a hand in raising each and every one of us and we are all proud to call her our mother.

As with any family we had good times and bad; laughter and tears. Ama was strong, smart, funny, and tough. A good mix of what a mother should be. No matter what, she always had her family's best interest at heart. Mom sacrificed so much in her life to give to those around her. Through it all, mom kept her faith in Diosito; she prayed faithfully every night.

Even in her last days, surrounded by her family she showed us how strong her faith was. We witnessed it first hand by her bedside. Little did we know that morning that God would call her name. Our hearts were broken to lose her, but Mom you did not go alone. Part of us went with you the day Diosito called you home.

"Ahora duerme con los ángelitos, canarios y mariposas"

We will always remember Ama as a wonderful wife, beautiful mother, caring grandmother and funny great grandmother. She taught us so much. Mom, you will never be far from our thoughts and will forever be imbedded in our hearts. We are at peace knowing that you are in God's heavenly garden. And when the time comes for us to cross over, we know you will be there to take our hand. As you would jokingly say "me da gusto que me vieron".

Funeral mass will be held at St Pius X Catholic Church on February 12th from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Reception to follow from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.humphreymortuary.com

A poem for my mother; from Cristy:

You can only have one mother

Patient and kind;

No other person in all the world,

Will be the same to you.

When others forsake you,

To mother you will return,

For all her loving kindness,

She asks nothing in return.

We may not have always seen eye-to-eye

But we respected each others point of view.

We had good times and bad; ups & down's

Through it all our family stayed strong.

As my sister says; "we may be few; but we are solid".

As we look upon your 79 years of life,

Sweet memories we recall,

Of a face so full of sunshine,

And a smile for one and all.

The picture is clear, GOD gave you to us

and now he needs you back.

Sweet Jesus, take this message,

To my dear mother up above;

Tell her how we miss her,

And give her all our love.

I Love you Mom...Cristy

A poem for my Mamita Linda, from Suzy:

In my arms I held you tight

Through the hardest part of life

In my heart the memories clear

Of the greatest Mom I love so dear

I held you close to my heart

Praying that we will never part

But angels came and took you away

And a tear I shed for you each day

Now a shining lit up star

My Mom will watch from up a far

In all the pain I'm going through

Ama whispers, Susita, I am still here with you

Abu Ama, nunca te olvidaré

My Dearest Doña Lily

Thank you so very much for being the most wonderful mother in the entire world.

I know you did your best to raise us the only way you knew how. And I thank you.

And that's what makes me the person I am today. Thank you for all your love,

your support and your advice. I will always cherish them in my heart where ever I go.

I will miss your smile, your laughter and all of your Spanish sayings.

I love you with all my heart AMA. 1 MOM

Love always your daughter

Doña Lola Lety

Poema a mi Madre

Es bella... mas bella... muy bella. Es hoy... es mañana..es ayer.

Es roca y es mirlo...es estrella. Es irse...quedarse...volver.

Es hierba y es rama...da sombra. Es agua que calma la sed.

Lejana, es mia...me nombra. Me espera...me sabe...me ve.

¡Estalla, se esconde, se aleja! ¡De ser o no ser, ella es!

Y es tanto que siempre regresa. Y el antes, se vuelve a después.

Me conoció cuando tuvo sospechas de que vendría.

Y ella sabia que llegaría. ¡Ah si sabia!

Y luego...tiempo. Corrieron los años y me fui un dia.

Y ella sabia que volvería. ¡Ah si sabia! ¡Mi madre!

Es bella...mas bella...muy bella. Es hoy...es mañana...es ayer.

Es roca y es mirlo...es estrella. Es siempre y es mas. ¡Es mujer!

Con amor y agradeccimiento infinito de tus hijos