Carlotta Mojica

September 8, 1921 - May 3, 2014

Carlotta was born in the Colombian countryside in 1921. She was the fourth child in a family of eight children. The two youngest, a boy and a girl, would die of whooping cough while they were still babies. Carlotta was luckier, if you can say that, and survived measles, whooping cough and dysentery before she turned three. Her parents were overprotective of their frail daughter and did not think would survive to adulthood. When she entered school, a wise teacher guided her into developing more confidence. Carlotta became a good athlete (basketball was her sport) and a good student. Good health followed.

At the university, Carlotta prepared to be a teacher but, eventually switched to public health nursing. Nursing led her to apply to investigate advancements in Mother and Infant Health Care in the United States. Once here Carlotta wanted to stay, but her nursing credentials were not valid here, so she found employment as a nanny to two wonderful girls, Bonnie and Kathy Beigel. Their parents helped Carlotta become a citizen in 1955.

The next few years she worked as a maid, garment worker, and mutual funds saleswoman. A new government program enabled her to enroll in college and in 1978 she graduated with Honors from Hunter College, City University of New York. Things began to improve considerably for Carlotta. She liked her job as a social worker working with unwed mothers. She still lived frugally and saved her money so she was able to travel. If she wasn't visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Oklahoma, she was visiting her family in Colombia. Upon retirement, Carlotta moved to Norman to be closer to her daughter, Ruth, and her son-in-law, Eugene, and their children, her grandkids, Pia and William.

Now she was a part of an American family. She enjoyed those times she could get together with Eugene's mother, Billie Ramsey, and Eugene's sister Jo Clark, her husband Mike, and their two children Chesnye and Vincent. Carlotta became a proud home owner purchasing a house across the street from Ruth, and an avid gardener. Always at her side was her dog, neighbors still remember her miniature schnauzer Pepe.

Though long retired, old age didn't slow her down much. She walked several miles a day. This often included going to her bank for coffee or popcorn and to check her balance. As the years passed, the good folks at BancFirst would have to write her balance larger and larger, and they would worry about her walking across town to see them. She also began to lock herself out. Carlotta didn't think that was much of a problem since she could climb the fence just fine and come over to her daughter's house. Now it was Ruth and Eugene's time to worry about Carlotta's safety.

Arbor Reminisce provided a safe and loving place for her still abundant energy. She walked around the padded hallways and chatted with the staff. When family visited, she'd thanked them for stopping by her "office". She had the good fortune to have developed many loving relationships at Arbor House. When the end came, it was fast and peaceful. Emerald Hospice were always by her side, along with her family and her Arbor friends. It was a good full life.