Carolina "Ama" Lara

Fr. Generoso said, Carolina means “Song of Joy.” AMA really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so. AMA gave joy and love to everyone in her life.

Her parents were Francisco and Carmen Lara. AMA was born in Arlington, Texas, on 3/8/1949 and was raised in Monterrey Nuevo Leon, Mexico. AMA was raised with 12 siblings. She had one older brother Adolfo (+), 11 younger siblings, Isabel "Chavela," Mercedes (+), Ma. Luisa "Licha", Francisco, Gloria, Carmen, Jesus, Sylvia, Alex, Jacinto, and Lupe. FAMILY was critical for Ama. She was that family member who would always be there no matter what. AMA faith in GOD made her who she was.

Ama was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination, show off, Hella EXTRA, Ama had a love for food, travel, and LOVE. AMA couldn’t stay in one place longer than a few weeks. She said many times, “Por eso Dios no me dio Allas!” Ama would pack her bags simply by hearing her favorite Norteña song. Ama enjoyed spending time with her family here in San Jose and travel with them. Ama also enjoyed visiting Hidalgo, La Huasteca, Cancun, and Nuevo Leon, Mexico. AMA LOVED to capture every moment on film, video, pictures, or audio and share it all on her social media. AMA ALWAYS made sure she was present in all the major milestones of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. AMA was that “Tia.” She also was present for her siblings’ children & their children.

AMA was proud of her children's success and the parents they've become. Ama lived for her grandkid’s success and accomplishments. AMA couldn’t sit and see her grandkids get tossed, thrown, put in any submission position, or tackled. AMA absolutely LOVED seeing how proud her children are of her grandchildren. She loved watching the videos & pictures. One of her greatest joys was seeing the expression on the kid's faces as they explained the play-by-play to her. You could never tell she didn’t understand the sport. THAT is what we all LOVED about her.

AMA received her Heavenly wings on July 6, 2021, Peacefully in her home in San Jose, CA. The end-stage of Ischemic Stroke & Hypertension. Floriberto Cruz survives her, and he said it best, “The LOVE of MY LIFE.” Ama was blessed with 6 children, and 4 survive her Jose (+), Ignacio, Carolina "Nena," Luis (+), Julio, Ricardo. AMA was also blessed with Eighteen grandchildren, Stephanie, Nathaly, Michelle, Leonel "Guero," Victor, Luis Jr., Vincent, Antonio "BooBoo," Anthony, Julio II, Adam, Ricardo II, David, Marifer, Tiana, Ignacio "Spung" Andres, Michael, and Diego. Two great-grandchildren, Amada Girasol & Titus Emmanuel.

Services were held at St. Martin of Tours. AMA will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, CA.

AMA, you are missed daily and WILL forever be missed! WE LOVE YOU, AMA!