Dolores Carrillo

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother gained her heavenly wings on July 17, 2024. Lovingly called Dora by friends, Mom by her children, and Nana by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she has joined her husband Benny and her daughter Darlene, as well as many sisters, brothers, and friends, inside Heaven's gates.

Dolores (Dora) was born on February 7, 1935 to parents Isadore and Mary in Los Angeles, CA. As a young woman she met her husband Benny through mutual friends. He knew right away that he wanted to marry her; she on the other hand needed a little convincing because he was a "wild one." They wed at the age of 18 and together raised three children in Los Angeles. Their children had children, and those children had children, and they flocked weekly, sometimes daily, to Nana and Grandpa's house where they were sure to be met with warm hugs, delicious food, and belly-aching laughter.

Having lived a full life of almost 90 years, Dora achieved many of life's greatest accomplishments and enjoyed many of life's pastimes and hobbies. As a young wife and mother, she took pride in caring for those she loved and keeping a tidy home. She also enjoyed dancing, spending time with her friends and family, and visiting places throughout Southern California. She was fiercely protective of those she loved; never uttering a hurtful word or passing judgment, and even covering for her daughters when they snuck out of the house as teenagers. As the years passed, her children had children of their own which brought a new layer to her life as caregiver of her grandchildren. Every morning before school and every afternoon after school let out, Dora took care of her grandchildren by making sure they did their homework, feeding them snacks, and forcing them outside to play. Summertime at Nana and Grandpa's house was filled with ice cream, cookies, coke floats, shopping trips to the mall and Toys R Us, swimming at the public pool, and visits to the duck pond, playground, and Mother's Beach.

More years passed and some things changed, but the constant was Nana's love for her family and excitement for life. She enjoyed bus trips to casinos where she played the slot machines. She watched the Angels baseball games religiously on television and attended a few home games. She loved going on a shopping spree at Culver Center, Mervyn's, JCPenneys, and Fox Hills Mall. She was known for cooking full meals for holiday gatherings, Sunday get togethers, and even camping trips at White Rock. No one ever went hungry on her watch. She was always ready to lend a listening ear, or she may just let her phone ring straight to voicemail. She happily stepped up to join in any line dance or to cut a rug with her brothers when their oldies but goodies played. She made Halloween costumes for her grandchildren - one year they dressed up as band members of the California Raisins. Countless New Year's Eve parties were held at her house with dozens of friends and family from far and wide coming together to celebrate the close of one year and the start of another, and often resulting in a noise complaint from neighbors.

Her life was filled with love, family, laughter, and happiness. The greatest love of her life was her family, with three generations looking up to her and learning from her. She was the matriarch we all sought out for advice, encouragement, and affection.

On July 17, 2024 Dora took her last breath in Los Angeles surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Benny Carrillo and her daughter Darlene Virden(Jack). She is survived by her daughter Debbie Carrillo, son Art Carrillo, 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, her brother Frank and her sister Frances. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who was always there when someone needed her the most. She offered support, wisdom, and most of all her love. She will be missed, but she will live on in everyone who knows her.