Mary Carmen Pina

Mary Carmen Pina, 91, passed away on May 15, 2019 in Downey California. Mary was born to the late, Pilar Lujano and William Dungo Nuguid on March 12, 1928 in Tucson Arizona. It was in Tucson where Mary met her husband Gilbert Duran Pina who was enlisted and serving in the United States Air Force. They soon migrated to Visalia California where they had their two eldest children. Not long after, they made the move south; to Los Angeles California where they had their two youngest children. With their children's future in mind they purchased their first and only home in Norwalk California where they raised their 4 children and where she resided for the last 59 years.

In her younger years she was a career minded woman having worked at major department stores such as Montgomery Wards and JCPenny's. She was creative, funny, caring, wise, sometimes stubborn, and more impressively, she was strong. She was driven by the love for her family, especially her children and managed to provide them with a stable roof over their heads even when money was sparse. She enjoyed working on her crossword puzzles, word search books, and her all-time favorite past time was gardening.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert, son Gilbert Michael, her sister Polly, and brother Billy. Mary is survived by her daughters Rebecca A. Beck, Kathleen Tagaloa, and son Richard Pina. Mary is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 31 greatgrandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren with one on the way and by her little companion dog Noodles. Mary left behind quite a legacy and is missed dearly.

A small private memorial service will be held on Monday June 10, 2019 at 9:00 am followed by a small reception for family and friends to pay their final respects. Services will be held at the Chapel of Memories located at 12626 Woods Avenue, Norwalk California 90650.