Lydia Almodovar

Lydia Almodovar was known as a charismatic and caring person across many years to a large spectrum of people. She was a loved one, a friend, a mentor, and someone special in many lives where she gave what little she had to help others. To family and friends who knew her best, Lydia will be remembered as a very exceptional person who survived many difficulties, adamant in her convictions of living life on her own terms and most comfortable providing advice to her many grandchildren.

Lydia was born on August 8, 1929 in Guanica, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of Rosa Almodovar and Juan Lopez. Lydia grew up in a small town in Puerto Rico which forever gave her pride in herself and her cultural traditions.

Lydia was raised with four siblings; Graciela, Ageda, Marcelino, and Santos. Lydia was usually involved in all sorts of activities with her siblings where she refined her life coping skills. While growing up, her best friend was her sister, Graciela. She and her siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many strong life learning experiences over the years.

Lydia and Nelson Ortiz met in Mountain View, California. Lydia and Nelson shared memories and love together for over 19 years. Empathic and loyal, Lydia was committed to making her family happy. Lydia worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Lydia was blessed with eight children, three sons and four daughters, Milton, Louie, Maria Cila, Ernestina, Evelyn, Ilda, Eddy, and her stepson Nilson Ortiz. She was also blessed with 23 grandchildren, 42 great - grandchildren, and 2 great great -grandchildren.

Fortunately, Lydia enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Lydia worked diligently and excelled in her career gaining favor from her supervisors. Her primary occupation was a nurse's aide for many years. Lydia always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done. When retired, 40 years ago, she picked up many domestic hobbies and loved to pass them on to her children and grandchildren. She was especially generous to her grandchildren, earning the loving nickname of “Goodie Grandma”.

Always considered a “good” friend to those she knew, Lydia enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during her lifetime. She was quick to offer her home, food, clothing and advice to others struggling to survive in our community. She was one who provided community outreach in the old days, before these services were readily available to those in needs.

Lydia enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, sewing, dancing, listening to Puerto Rican music. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes and was also willing to share her interests with others. She lovingly taught cultural traditions and shared her skills with her children and grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Lydia was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. Lydia was an active member of the Puerto Rican club in Mountain View, California where she relished the opportunity to share her culture with her children and proudly engage her family with the community.

Lydia was a woman who took pride in upholding her beliefs. Politically, Lydia was a proud liberal Democrat. When President Obama took office, she proudly exclaimed, “that’s my President"

Lydia’s faith was important to her. She was a devout Catholic, taking Holy Communion while struggling with extended convalescence at home. She enjoyed reading her bible and marking significant passages. She also preserved her traditions and culture using herbal remedies and other potions for prayers and blessing's.

Lydia enjoyed traveling to Puerto Rico on several occasions. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Returning to Puerto Rico, she was reunited with her first son Milton Feliciano and visited San Juan for the first time. In 1988, she walked all over the cobble stoned streets, enjoying the traditional music, food, sights, and sounds of the island while reliving the magic of her childhood.

Lydia was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was her little Chihuahua "Moti" (10 years ago).

Lydia passed away on November 23, 2011 at Valley House Hospital in Santa Clara, California. She passed away peacefully in her sleep due to natural causes. She is survived by her sisters Graciela, and Ageda; two of her sons Louis, Eddy; and four daughters Maria Cila, Ernestina, Evelyn, and Ilda. Services were held at Chapel of Roses at Oak Hill Funeral Home in San Jose, California. Lydia was laid to rest in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Simply stated, Lydia was a good and kind person, an individual who loved life and will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Lydia leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Lydia Almodovar.

Arrangements under the direction of Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, San Jose, CA.