Benita M. Carta

December 27, 1923 – January 29, 2025

Benita Moralez Carta was a dedicated wife to Danny Carta and loving mother to her only child, George Carta. She was a hard worker during her life. She worked in the fields along with her husband, Danny, harvesting crops in Northern California. Mom cleaned houses and was a homemaker in her later years. She lived through many events in her one hundred years. From her childhood during the Great Depression, she would tell us stories of how her father would raise animals for food and sell them to provide for the family. During WWII, she was a young woman when she came to California looking for work and lived with her sisters by the railroad tracks because that’s what they could afford. They worked hard to bring the rest of the family to California. She met her husband, Danny, on one of the farms where she worked. They married and welcomed their son, George, all while living humbly. She survived polio which she contracted while working in the fields of Central California.

When she returned to Southern California, she and Dad lived in Fountain Valley where they had a small farm. It is now the 405 freeway. Then, they moved next her sister and brother-in-law, Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe. The sisters were very close and would share stories of their families. Benita had her own sense of humor and would laugh with a kind of secret only she knew. Perhaps remembering happy times. She also had a song she would often sing when she wanted to cheer herself up or just to share with us. Mom cared for her husband after he broke his hip and would stay with him all day at the rehab facility until he passed away. She survived him by twenty-seven years and would always say that she missed him and couldn’t wait to be with him again.

As a mother she dedicated many hours ensuring her son got a good education, an opportunity she never had. She saved every award he received and was incredibility proud of him. Many years later she welcomed into her arms three grandchildren: Olivia, Aaron, and Krystal. She always was happy to spend warm afternoons taking the small grandkids to the Carousel at Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland or on a “joyride” with Grandpa in their white 1953 Chevy pickup truck. As small children just riding with the grandparents in the truck was a treat. She was so happy to spend time with them whenever she was able. As a grandma, she cooked her own soup recipe for her grandkids and always had a can of peaches as dessert.

She taught her family many lessons: work very hard for what you want as nothing is for free, take care of your belongings because money doesn't come easy. Always keep your shoes clean. Make sure your clothing looks nice and mended. Do your best in school- very important.

Most of all she taught us to honor our Lord Jesus and follow his Commandments. Be a good person and good things will come to you. Life can be hard and disappointing at times but always have faith in God. “Look at me”, she would say as she held up her muscle arms. “If I can do it, so can you. Be strong!” Benita had a strong will to live and would not give up easily. She will be missed, but her spirit of living life to the best of her ability is within us all.