Ligia Davila Almada

1912 - 2015

Ligia Davila Almada
1912 ~ 2015
Carmel, CA
Ligia Davila Almada, a truly lovely woman who celebrated her 103rd birthday on February 27th of this year at a party complete with Mariachi music and attended by family and close friends, died in Carmel, California on July 12th. Ligia, or "Mia" as she was known to family and friends, was surrounded by her loving family.
Mia was born in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico in 1912. Her father, Carlos Davila, was a surgeon and served as the personal physician to Alvaro Obregon, the President of Mexico from 1920-1924. Consequently, the family lived next door to President Obregon in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City for the time period when Mia was eight to twelve years of age. Their lifestyle was magical for a little girl, and without a doubt formed her character as a true romantic.
Throughout her long life, Mia prized beauty and gracious living for its own sake and imparted these values to every member of her family. As a dedicated and creative homemaker, she stressed good manners, respect for elders and went to the trouble of creating holiday feasts complete with Beef Wellington and English Trifle....her grandsons were particularly grateful for the trifle! Mia loved all kinds of sewing and knitting projects and produced beautiful sweaters and handmade dresses of professional quality. Mia was ultra-feminine in all of her actions, and even when she was working in her garden, never seemed to get dirty! But Mia was a highly intelligent woman despite her dainty ways, and as she approached middle age learned to speak up and have it out with her husband of 73 years, Louis Almada, who respected the "guts" that she discovered later in life. Louis predeceased Mia in 2005. They had moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1999 in order to live closely connected to their daughter and son-in law, Tina and Larry Biegel. They enriched our lives as family and neighbors, and we feel especially privileged during the last nine years to have acted as Mia's "shepherds."
Two years ago Mia moved to Visionary Assisted Living on Lincoln Street in Carmel. Located just a mile from our home, we were able to see her every day and we became closely connected to the other nine residents who lived in this caring, comfortable home. We will continue to visit her friends there: Joanne, Janice, Greg, Billie and Stanley, who on their good days and bad days became like family to us. It is a true gift to have elders in your life whose lives you can brighten up with chocolate, the New York Times, conversation and hand-holding. They certainly enriched our lives. Our thanks and affection to each and every one of them.
The caregivers at Visionary, especially Cynthia, Victoria, Maria, Wendy, Cecelia, Stephanie and Katy were consistently patient and kind to Mia and we thank them for their good care of her. Jessica and her mom, Tammy, did a great job of managing Visionary, and brought their sunny dispositions each and every time they stopped in to check on medications and the urgent care needs of the residents.
Mia went on Hospice care in April, and those services were expertly provided by VNA Hospice. Anna Linden, the registered nurse who supervised Mia's care, bonded immediately with Mia. Anna sang to Mia, and had the perfect honey voice for communicating with a little lady with a lot to say. Then there was Antonia Valencia and Robin Mancini who provided sweet, loving private care to Mia. Thank you both for your faithful dedication to our mother.
Mia is survived by her son, Charles Almada and his wife, Bea; her daughter, Tina and her husband, Larry Biegel; her four grandsons: Anthony, Andy, Brandon and Jacob; and her great grandchildren, Taylor, Alexis, Ava, Riley and Olivia.
Brandon and his darling wife, Jenny, have lived on the Peninsula since 2008. They were devoted "Mia fans" and their children, Riley Kingston Kirsch and Olivia Halston Kirsch, supplied Mia with hours of fun and many tender moments.
Thank you, Ligia Almada, for the grace, beauty and true affection that you gave to all of us. Your being was a gift in itself....and we appreciated your "guts" too.
A memorial mass will be celebrated in honor of Mia on August 22, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 9 El Caminito Road in Carmel Valley.