Berta Gomez Obituary

Berta was 105 years old, and a long-time resident of Hermosa Beach. She passed away on Monday, June 9, 2008 at home with her family. Berta had a stroke three weeks ago, and wanted to go home from the hospital to die so her two granddaughters honored her wishes.

Berta was well-known in the South Bay for a person that lived a long life and didn't have any medical problems until the end. Berta was born in 1902 in Coahuila, Mexico to Cristine and Florencia Hernandez. They moved to El Paso, Texas when Berta was 12 years old. She met a hard working man 20 years older than herself. In time they married when Berta was 15. Berta and her husband, Jose moved to Lompoc, California and there they had two children, son, Frank and daughter, Rebecca "Beckie". They moved to Hermosa Beach and raised their children there. Berta lived so long she out-lived her husband and both of her children.

Berta will be missed by her family, grandson, Rick (Vivian) Duarte; granddaughters, Margarita Carrillo and Robin (Paul) Marquez; three great-grandchildren, Michael and Paul Carrillo, Samantha Zepeda; six great great grandchildren, Sara, Kyle, Crystal Carrillo, Alyssa Zepeda (Christopher and Cynthia have passed away); and sister, Francis Ledesma. Also deceased is her nephew, Emilio "Tro" Ledesma. Irma Palacios was Berta's caregiver for many years, and took very good care of her. A gathering of family & friends and viewing will be held Rice Mortuary in Torrance on Friday,June 20, 2008 from 4:00 to 8:00pm. The Vigil Service will begin at 7:00pm. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00am, followed by a reception in the Rice Mortuary Lighthouse Reception Room until 1:30pm. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.

Please go to the mortuary's website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages, share memories, obtain directions to services, and check back to view the online video tribute.