Norma Caceres Aguilar

Norma Rosa Cáceres Solís was born on October 21, 1947 in Cochabamba, Bolivia to Carlota Solís Bascopé vda. de Pérez and Ernesto Cáceres Garciamogro. She was raised mainly by her father and paternal aunt, Carmela Olivares Garciamogro. At the time of her birth, she had two older brothers who both passed away in 2021, Dr. Jorge Victor Pérez Solís and Captain Willy Hermógenes Pérez Solís.

In her youth, Norma attended Liceo de Señoritas Bolivia, where she obtained her primary and secondary education. She briefly enrolled at Lista de Normales Escuelas Superiores de Formación Maestros (ESFM) in Cochabamba to become a literature teacher, but decided instead to leave Bolivia and seek other opportunities.

In 1968, at the age of 21, Norma emigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, CA. When she arrived, she worked as a nanny, a garment factory worker, and as a nurse assistant in convalescent homes. Shortly after her arrival, she met a fellow Cochabambino named, Octavio Aguilar, and they married in September of 1969 at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Norma went to work with her husband at the Robert M. Hadley Company, Inc., in the aerospace industry for five years.

They had their first daughter, Eddely, in 1970 while still residing in Los Angeles. In 1975, they both left the Hadley Company and bought their first house in North Hollywood, CA. Their second daughter, Eunice, was born in 1976. In 1977, Norma enrolled for courses at the University of California, Los Angeles Extension, where she studied to become a Registered Dental Assistant. She worked in this field nearly 40 years, achieving the highest level as a Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions in General Practice, Orthodontics, Endodontics, and Maxillofacial surgery. Norma loved and honored her profession. Her relationships with employers and coworkers meant the world to her. She was passionate about oral health, always encouraging people to see their dentist on a regular basis. Norma volunteered her services as an RDA at the L.A. Dental Expo and with dentists in Baja California, México. She paved the way for other family members to also pursue careers in the dental field.

After her marriage to Octavio, she became part of the non-profit organization Club Cultural y Deportivo Bolivia, co-founded in 1962 by her husband and other prominent Bolivians. For 57 years, Norma worked tirelessly to promote Bolivian culture, traditions, and folklore. In 1982, along with two Bolivian families, the Salas-Torrejon and the Montaño, they formed the first Bolivian folkloric dance group, Fraternidad Caporales Bolivia, achieving awards and accolades across events in southern California, such as the Hispanic Month Parade. The group went on to represent Bolivia in many civic and cultural occasions. Norma was an integral part of the planning of yearly Bolivian Independence Day celebrations, picnics, and galas. She served as Secretary General of the Bolivian Club for 57 years. She was the heart of the movement and it was her life’s work, yet she never accepted a higher title within the organization. She just handled everything and everyone knew her commitment. Other charitable endeavors spearheaded by the Bolivian Club included fundraising for orphanages, senior assisted living homes, disaster relief, and building infrastructure in rural parts of Bolivia. Norma especially believed in helping older adults maintain their dignity and health, and was instrumental in fundraising for causes supporting older adults in Bolivia.

Her life was centered in service to her beloved Bolivia and to those who left her in search of the “American Dream”. She also helped her maternal side of the family emigrate to the United States. Norma never lost her Bolivian identity and was steadfast in the idea of raising daughters immersed in the culture.

She brought the arts to life in many ways, from her vast knowledge as a seamstress, to her talents in crochet, knitting, embroidery, and lace-weaving. She loved opera, ballet, and music of all genres. Bolivian indigenous music had a special place in the home. Norma also instilled a love of books and literature in her children. She was a lifelong student, taking cosmetology classes in the late 1980’s and computer classes in 2024 at Burbank Adult School. Norma believed education and perseverance are the key to success.

This is the legacy she leaves to her family and friends. She touched the lives of thousands of people in the Bolivian community in California.

Norma is survived by her husband Octavio, their daughters Eddely and Eunice, grandchildren Maurisio and Eveliz, and great-grandchildren Melanie and Nicolás, as well as her siblings, Ana Maria Camacho and Arturo Vargas, Jr.