Olimpia Sanchez Cardenal Pearson's Obituary
Olimpia Sanchez Cardenal Pearson Obituary
In loving memory of our mother, Olimpia Sanchez Cardenal Pearson, who passed away on December 18th, 2022.
Oli was born on September 17th, 1933, to Demófilo Sánchez and Avelina Cardenal in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain, and was the middle child of three daughters. Olimpia was a toddler during the Spanish Civil War, when her father was assassinated by Franco’s army. Her mother and family were forced to migrate to Madrid, Spain, where she was raised by Avelina as a single parent.
At a party in 1961, she met Calvin, who was stationed at Torrejón Air Force Base, and the two were inseparable from that point on. Oli and Calvin were married for over 60 years and had three children Maria, Barbara Ann and Calvin Jr. Each child was born in a different country since Oli and Calvin moved to many places, as most military families do, including Washington, DC, Panama, Michigan, Spain, and Nebraska. They finally settled in Tacoma, WA in 2015.
Our mother was a kind, caring, funny and loving person who always sacrificed her own needs for her children and family. She was always so proud of her children and taught them to always hold their head high at all times. Oli was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. She was a source of inspiration to us, and her zest for life, sense of humor, and love of Spanish flamenco and food which made her the light of the family.
Oli was predeceased by her parents, her sister Rosaura and her daughter Barbara Ann. She is survived by her husband Calvin her two children Maria and Calvin Jr, her three grandchildren Barbara Maria, Jordan, and Jazmin, her two great-grandchildren Maverick and Raiyne, her sister Illuminada, daughter-in-law Pepa Lago, son-in-law Arnold Hull and her dog Carmela.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Olimpia’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Olimpia_Sanchez_Cardenal_Pearson). A memorial service will be held in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home, Saturday January 21, 2023, at 11;30am Pacific Time with a reception to follow in the Oak Room.
Mother, you will always be in our hearts, and we will never forget you. We love you so much. Rest in peace.
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