Carmen Casal

July 14, 1921 - January 18, 2022

Carmen “Nanay” Gallardo Casal passed away peacefully in her Tacoma home on January 18th, 2022 at age 100. She was born July 14th, 1921 in Angeles, Philippines to Emeterio and Lazara Samson Gallardo. During World War II, Carmen volunteered at the American Red Cross in Manila, taking care of U.S. and other foreign national children whose families were involved in the war efforts. After the war ended, she attended the Philippine College of Arts and Trades where she studied technical drafting. She later received her diploma and worked as a civil engineer draftswoman for the Department of Public Works & Highways where she helped design vital roadways and bridges in her community. She continued to work in this position for several years, saving her money, until she made enough to move her and her family to the United States in 1973. Shortly after arriving in the U.S., Carmen took on a job at Pacific Lutheran University as a housekeeper, where she retired in 1997. Carmen enjoyed many activities to keep herself busy and was full of life. She had been an active parishioner at St. Francis Cabrini in Lakewood, WA where she attended Sunday mass. She loved tending to her vegetable and flower gardens on those northwest sunny days and occasionally enjoyed taking her family outdoors to go fishing or clamming. She also continued to practice her drafting skills in her free time by drawing plans for her next home remodeling project. One of her favorite pastimes was playing bingo and going to the casino with her family and friends. As a Mariner’s fan, she loved watching and keeping track of their games during baseball season. She especially loved the Ken Griffey Junior and Edgar Martinez days when they made their run for the American League Championship. Carmen also traveled when she could with family and friends, and loved to learn and discover new cities and try new types of foods. She enjoyed cooking for everyone and made sure you were fed as soon as you walked in through the door. She welcomed everyone into her home with open arms. She was a kind and generous woman to all. Carmen lived a long and wonderful life and was always there for anyone as a shoulder to cry on or just a lending ear. She unconditionally loved each and every one of us. Carmen was preceded in death by her mother Lazara, brothers Pastor and Momong, sisters Marina, Nene and Zenaida. She is survived by her three children, Dolly, Rey, and Onie, her sister LingLing, her grandchildren Maricar, John and Lito, and her great-grandchildren Mia, Clifton, Leia, Jade and Maya. She was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed. A visitation/viewing is scheduled for this Saturday, February 5th, from 2pm-5pm at Mountain View Funeral Home located at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. There will be a graveside service on Sunday, February 6th at 10am. The service will be located at the Garden of Remembrance Mausoleum on the west side of the upper grounds. Carmen has requested, in her last will and testament, anyone attending the interment service to be dressed in white or bright colors. There will be an open house style gathering at her grandson John’s home in Spanaway, WA after the service with some light food and refreshments between the hours of 12pm-3pm, to allow family to come at their leisure as well as crowd comfort level. The home will not be suited for appropriate social distancing requirements, so attendance will be left to your discretion. For the safety and comfort of others, we highly encourage the use of masks at all events.