Carla G. Buchanan

Carla passed away at the age of 97, on Saturday March 4, 2017 at 11:23 P.M., in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her children Michael, Ed, Lucy and daughter-in-law, Delilah, all of whom she loved dearly, were by her side. Her cherished baby brother Manuel Zuniga, who is 95 years old, and sister-in-law, Mary Helen, had reluctantly left her side moments before she passed away.

Carla Zuniga was born on September 9, 1919 in Huntington Beach, California. She married Evaristo Solorzano and had eight children; five sons and three daughters. She has 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Three of her sons served in the United States Marine Corps.

Carla was predeceased by her daughters Carmen and Rita, and sons Tommy, David and Gilbert.

Carla enjoyed the frequent visits from her nieces and nephews. They kept in touch with her on a daily basis, and she looked forward to their calls.

Carla’s greatest passion in life was to host family gatherings. She always pulled together incredibly awesome meals. When anyone dropped by, she would go directly to the kitchen and prepare a fabulous comfort meal. Family and friends would sit down, chat and enjoy her meals for hours on end. Everyone who ate at Carla’s, left with a full stomach. The day before she passed away, she asked to be taken to the kitchen. Her likely thoughts were to cook a meal for her children. She got up on her feet, but her feet would not move.

Carla loved the outdoors, the sunshine, the sky full of billowy white puffy clouds. She was an avid reader and collector of cook books. She began her day with coffee and cookies, on her beautiful patio. She loved her house, and loved to entertain family and friends. She loved her yard, and spent endless hours making flower arrangements to brighten up her home. Her last endeavor was to create a beautiful place in Las Vegas, where all could gather, to share new and old stories.

One night after she spent an entire day in the backyard, she came inside and said a prayer to our Lord. She prayed, “Please give me 20 more years.” Her words were heartbreaking.

With the help of Carla’s daughter, Lucy, her son, Eddie, daughter-in-law Delilah, Delilah and Ed’s daughters, friends, and extended family, Carla’s final years were filled with awesome memories. Her family will always cherish and remember those happy times.

Carla was a very strong woman and inspired all who knew her. She was a woman who experienced good times and laughter, but also knew tragedy and hardship. With the grace of God, she thrived in spite of it.

Carla taught us all to be strong and to never give up. She was someone who all could look up to, in a time of need. Carla will live in many hearts forever. She will always be remembered as being a remarkable woman of strength and tenacity. No challenge or task was ever too great for her. Carla lived an amazing 97 years of life.

She was loved and will be missed.

Lord we ask you to lift up Carla, to our Savior Jesus Christ. Rest in peace.

Amen.