Lillie Serna Tapia

Born on January 31, 1924 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Eusabio Serna & Amalia Montoya. Lillie married Epifanio Tapia in 1942 and resided in NM where they had eight children. In 1956, they relocated to Vista California where they had two more children, for a total of 5 boys and 5 girls.

Lillie worked as a seamstress at Joni Blairs for many years, before becoming a Special Needs Caretaker at an all-girls residential facility in Vista, known as New Haven Home. She worked the night shift for 20 years making sure that their clothes were clean, nicely pressed and that they started every morning with a warm healthy breakfast. The girls slept peacefully knowing that “Momma Lillie” was there. One night an intruder that was hiding from the police entered the front door of the home and was immediately greeted by Momma Lillie. As she stood bravely in his face, she, in her sweet voice, opened the door with one hand while holding a broomstick in the other and kindly escorted him out before calling the police. That intruder realized that he would much rather go to jail than to deal with the 5’ little lady that stood before him without any sign of fear. She loved and cherished those girls as if they were her own, always referred to them as “My Girls” until the day she passed. There were about 15 girls that resided there, aged between 5 – 60 years old. The older ones that could leave the property for the day would take the city bus to visit Momma Lillie, they just couldn’t get enough of her, they simply adored her.

Lillie is survived by her Children - Epi Tapia, Antonia Hawkins, Edward Tapia, Yolanda McGee, Yvonne Tapia and Rosa Tapia-James.

Her Grandchildren – Alexis Castro, Sonny Tapia, Richard Tapia, David-John Tapia, Myaa Tapia, Cy Tapia, Thomas Levandoski, Tania Sosa, Stephanie Hawkins, Jamie Hawkins, Linda Merchant and Sophia Fleming.

29 Great Grandchildren, 11 Great-Great Grandchildren, 20 Nieces, 15 Nephews and many friends.

She is preceded by her Husband – Epifanio Tapia, Sisters – Vivian Martinez, Mary Trujillo, Brother – Jesus Serna, Sons – Richard Tapia, Max Tapia and her baby boy, Lorenzo Tapia. Grand Daughter – Faith Tapia and Grandsons – Max Tapia Jr, Lorenzo Tapia Jr.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at: www.eternalhillsmortuary.com

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you make donations to Lillie’s favorite charities:

St. Jude: www.stjude.org San Diego Center for the Blind: www.sdcb.org

Lillie will be laid to rest in Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, California 92054.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsmortuary.com for the Tapia family.