Carla Jean Evert Sette

1958 - 2013

Sette, Carla Jean Evert LA JOLLA -- Carla J. Evert Sette, of La Jolla, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2013, after a long and brave battle against cancer. Born October 29, 1958, to Lourdes Evert Reguera, of Mexico City, and the late Terry B. Evert, of Denver, Carla was the second child of four. Attending Catholic elementary school, and being part Irish, as a young girl Carla had an interest in becoming a nun. As she grew up, however, she broadened her horizons and discovered other talents she possessed. Carla was crowned Homecoming Queen of Oceana High School, Pacifica, CA, the year she graduated from 12th grade, which was at the early age of 16. Wanting to learn more about her Mexican background, Carla moved to Mexico City, and within the first year had won the Miss Mexico title, as well as Miss Congeniality International. During this time, Carla was a runway, commercial, and print model for various products in Mexico. She met and married accomplished bullfighter, Manolo Arruza, with whom she had her first son, Andres. Carla also worked as a Reporter and Producer for Televisa / Telemundo, a job she enjoyed for over a decade. After her divorce from Manolo and relocation to San Diego, Carla worked as a fashion designer / journalist for Vogue, and a Reporter / Producer for ABC News and KGTV. It was during this time that she met and married internationally renowned immunologist, Alessandro Sette. When their son, Pietro, was born, Carla took time off from her busy career to devote herself to raising her two sons. When she returned to work years later, Carla held the position of Director of Western USA Sector for "One Laptop per Child," a charitable organization run by MIT. She also was very active in the NYU Parents' Committee and Presidential Council, when her son Andres attended college there. Carla was passionate about many things: travel, art, reading, writing, Italian and Spanish cuisine, the beach, and languages, having become fluent in Spanish, Italian, and French. In recent years, she had taken up archery, and became skilled enough to be considered for Olympic training. Near the time of her death, Carla was learning Hebrew, was an active member of Toastmaster's International, and had just written an op ed article for the San Diego Union Tribune, "Harassment: An Uncomfortable Fact of Life for Many," detailing her victimization by then Mayor Filner. Her greatest passion in life, however, was her two boys, Andres (28), and Pietro (16). Although her marriage to Alessandro had ended years prior, both were very actively involved in parenting their boys. As a child of God and sure of her salvation, Carla knew that she would be welcomed into her Father's loving arms. Knowing that her boys would have their father in their lives here, once she was gone, ultimately gave Carla the peace of mind she needed to face her death at such a young age. Carla had just turned 55 a few weeks prior to her death. She is survived by sons Andres Sette Arruza, Pietro Sette, mother Lourdes Evert, brother Rick Evert, sister Sharla Evert, niece Ashleigh Marie Bullard, nephew Ryan Michael Bullard, all of San Diego, and sister Marla Evert, brother-in-law Linus Sarver, and nieces Jolene and Jessica Neagle, of Kansas. Carla is already greatly missed by her family, and by the many lives she touched while alive. She leaves behind friends on every continent, and she leaves a void in our lives. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her piercing hazel eyes, her endless energy, her sense of humor, her encouragement of others, and her faith. And her love - of life, of the world, of her family and friends, and of God.