Mary L. Lerma

Mary Louise Lerma, beloved mother, grandmother “NANA,” sister, aunt and friend entered the Lord’s Kingdom on April 5, 2022, at the age of 91 in Fillmore, California, where Mary resided with her granddaughter Sylvia Govea, her husband, and children, who tenderly cared for her during the last 9 years of her life. Mary was born on August 25, 1930, in East Los Angeles, California to Andres and Maria Ochoa. She was one of eight siblings. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Primi, Nick, Joe and Andres Jr. Ochoa, sisters Carmen Rosales, Sally Gomez, and grandson Joseph Garcia. Mary is survived by her sister Andrea Perez, four children Robert Lerma Sr, Joni Cardenas, Lori Garcia, and Louie Lerma, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren with the newest addition on the way and one great-great-grandchild. Mary lived in Los Angeles California up until the age of eight, her family moved to Moorpark California in 1938 where Mary resided the next seventy-four years until going to live with her granddaughter Sylvia Govea in 2013. Mary was a single hardworking mother, always maintaining two jobs to provide for her family, during the day she worked at MUSD and then would go to her part time job as a cashier at Tipsy Fox, B&V market. During her years at Moorpark Unified School District, she worked in the ESL classes where she impacted many of her student’s lives, through her passion and knowledge. She gave her students confidence and drive to continue their education in a world where education did not come easy. To this day her students are grateful for the love and compassion that she shared. Mary retired in 1995 but needed to stay busy so she took a part time job at Kmart, working there until she made the decision to be a full-time, stay-at-home Nana. Mary loved spending time caring for all 13 of her grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren before and after school. Everyone loved going to Nanas. It brought her joy to walk them to and from the bus stop, cooking for them, singing to them, and just spending quality time, she loved her full house. Mary was a devoted mother. Family was the most important thing in her life “If you are happy, so am I” is what she always said, her love was pure and unconditional. Mary had a great relationship with the Lord, her faith was strong. Mary often spoke of heaven and how she would one day be walking on the streets of gold with her family and friends who had gone before her and how joyous that day would be. Our mother’s legacy is the love she showed, the faith she shared and the everyday care she provided to us. Her radiant smile and laugh will be dearly missed. She will remain in our hearts having left us wonderful memories that will last us a lifetime. Mom/Nana “ We love you this much and this much and this much” Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Livingston nurses and staff for their dedication, passion, great care, and comfort they provided to our Mother/Nana. Their support was a true blessing. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Remembrance Service from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., on Friday, April 15, 2022, at Perez Family Funeral Home, 600 Central Avenue, Fillmore, California. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Perez Family Funeral Home in Fillmore, California, with Mary’s grandson, Nick Lerma, officiating.