Lucia Cardoza

Lucia Cardoza, 87 year old Yreka resident, lost her battle with Lewy Bodies Dementia on May 30, 2019 in Medford, Oregon. Her son, Alan, was by her side. Lucia was born in Madrid, Spain on March 4, 1932 to Ventura and Manuela Izquierdo Torres. She was told since her parents could not agree on her name that it was tradition at that time to name your child after the Saint of the Day. Hence her name, Lucia. Lucia was a child when the Spanish Civil War started. When the fighting began, her mother fled Madrid with Lucia and her two older brothers, Manolo and Pepe. Her father joined the Republican Army to fight against the dictator General Francisco Franco. He was captured and was imprisoned, years later reuniting with his children. During all the chaos of the war, they became separated from their mother and they never saw her again. Two Republican soldiers came to the rescue of Lucia, her brothers and many other children. They packed the children into two army trucks and began the dangerous trek through the Pyrenees into France. Waiting and starving for three years in France, Lucia, her brothers and the other children were given approval by an Act of Congress to immigrate to the U.S. Lucia was anxiously looking forward to starting a new life. Coming to the U.S. her first stop was Ellis Island in New York. After paperwork was processed, Lucia was sent to Portland, Oregon to live with a foster family. She diligently learned the English language and all normal school subjects. She later became a proud American through naturalization. At the age of 18, she married Joe Cox of Merrill, Oregon. Together they had three children, Barbara, Teresa and Alan. They later divorced, and Lucia started attending College of the Siskiyous in Weed. After her graduation from there, she and her children moved to Arcata to further her education. She earned her teaching credential with a double major in French and Spanish at Humboldt State University. She then accepted a foreign language position teaching Spanish (and for a brief time, French) at Yreka High School. After 21 years, Lucia retired as a well respected teacher. While teaching, she met Clarence Cardoza. They married and built their dream home from the ground up on a ridge overlooking the Shasta Valley with a beautiful view of the majestic Mt. Shasta. Many a critter could be seen on their property, quenching their thirst in a waterer they had made just for the wildlife. After their retirement, they enjoyed many years of RV travel, touring National and State Parks, museums and historical sites. They also enjoyed hunting, and were volunteer camp hosts at Eagle Lake, California for several years, where they made many friends and were able to enjoy wildlife and fishing. Lucia loved photography, taking pictures of family, friends and wildlife. She was also the official photographer of Clarence’s Navy PBY air unit’s annual reunions. After Clarence passed, a new chapter in Lucia’s life began. A life that she had said she was called to as a child but was just now doing. She started attending the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Yreka. She became an active member of the church, being involved in activities and various outreach ministries, which she so loved to do. She also volunteered in the Seventh Day Adventist School, helping children with their studies. Lucia is predeceased by her husband, Clarence, son-in-law Bob Bouton, step-son John Cardoza and her brother, Manolo. She is survived by her children, Barbara Bouton of Raymore, Missouri, Teresa (Bill) Ackerman of Oroville, and Alan (Linda) Cox of Yreka; step-daughter Rosemary Cardoza of Yreka; brother Pepe of Kelseyville; and nieces Sara Izquierdo (Marcus Braun) of Portland, Oregon and Andrea (Christopher) Torres-Clyne of Mohawk, New York. She is also survived by her grandchildren Hilary, Tim, Philip, Jennifer, Melissa, Cheney and five great grandchildren. Lucia loved her family well. She faced the good, bad and the ugliness of this world with resolve and levelheadedness, always with a radiant smile. She will be dearly missed by her friends and family. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Dementia Society of America, your local Hospice Care Facility or a charity of your choice in Lucia’s memory. A Celebration of Life service will take place on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 346 Payne Lane in Yreka.

Lucia Cardoza

March 4, 1932 - May 30, 2019