Viola Helen Lazaro

Long-time Oceanside resident Viola Helen Lazaro passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, at the age of 102. Viola was born in Garden City, Kansas, on October 9, 1922. Her family settled in Oklahoma when she was a child, and in 1937 it moved to California. Viola met her future husband, Larry, on a tennis court in Carlsbad. The couple had to travel to New Mexico to get married because state laws at the time in California, Arizona, and Nevada prohibited the marriage of a white woman and a Filipino man. In 1947 they moved to Oceanside where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Vi’s life centered around her family. She and Larry raised four children, Lonny, Ned, Richard, and Marcia. Her happiest moments were times she spent with family. She relished the many family gatherings, which often included the families of two of her sisters, Hazel (Storm) and Renny (Dix). Birthday and holiday parties gave way in time to card parties, barbecues, and weekend family reunions. She and Larry agreed—these were the happiest times of their lives.

In addition to raising her children, Vi involved herself in several community activities. She was the president of the Mission Road Elementary School PTA for several years, and she also served as a volunteer election poll worker, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a Campfire Girls counselor. Also, working with Edith Swaim, she played a key role in the creation and development of Oceanside’s Heritage Park and Museum. And then, when the family nest was empty, she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Mira Costa Community College.

In her younger life, Vi was an avid tennis player and golfer. Later, she became an accomplished distance walker, participating in numerous 5K and 10K events. She walked the Portland Marathon, and then, at the age of 70, completed the Los Angeles Marathon.

Viola is survived by sons Lonny (and wife Kim), Ned, Richard (and wife Connie), and daughter Marcia. She is also survived by five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Larry, her husband of 70 years, died in 2009, also at the age of 102. The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Julia’s Cottage for their loving care of Viola in her final years. Viola Lazaro lived a long and satisfying life, and she was loved, respected, and admired by all who knew her.

A memorial service for Viola will be held on January 9, 2025, at 9:30 am in the Eternal Hills Chapel at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, preceded by a brief greeting of attendees from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. The gravesite service will begin at 10:45 am, also at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054.