Piedad Olmos Bono

1923 - 2010

Piedad, or "Pia" as some of her friends called her, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010 of complications following a hip fracture.

She was born in Murcia, Spain on May 23, 1923. She was the youngest of 10 children. She traveled to Mexico and lived in Mexico City for many years. In Mexico, she was a professional Jai Alai player. In 1983, she moved to Thousand Oaks to be near her daughter, son-in law and grandchildren, whom she adored.

She was 60 years old when she arrived in the USA, and knowing her feisty disposition, she immediately went into action. She wanted to be a productive citizen; went to adult school to learn the English language; got a job at what was then known as "Bob's Big Boy" Restaurant; and acquired many friends and interests. As she became older, she joined the Goebel Center and the Day Care Center at Senior Concerns. She liked to participate in their dances and did volunteer work.

She became an American citizen late in her life, which allowed her to achieve one of her dreams; to vote, which she did three times. She was proud of her heritage as a Spaniard, and was equally very proud of the United States. She was always grateful be able to live in the "Land of Opportunity," as she called it.

Piedad was my mother and I will always miss and love her.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Burau; son in-law, Tom Burau; grandson, Mike Burau; granddaughter, Melissa Carrion and her husband Guy Carrion.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8 at Saint Julies Billiard Church in Newbury Park. Reception will follow at daughter's home in Thousand Oaks.