Marie Carmen De la Olivia Sardan

Marie Carmen De la Oliva Sardan, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, was called to heaven on October 16, 2025. Carmen was born July 25, 1958, in La Paz, Bolivia to Angela Tovar and Jose De la Oliva. As a young girl, Carmen enjoyed playing outdoors and loved school. She spent most of her time in her neighborhood where the homes were close together and the families and friends were well connected. At the age of 20, she traveled with a group of friends to explore the United States. During her travels, she explored a few different states including California where she visited family who lived in Los Angeles. It was there that she met new Bolivian friends including her husband, Carlos. They instantly fell in love and married three months later on May 10, 1980.

Carmen worked at various jobs to support her family. In the late 80's, she followed her passion and studied early childhood development at San Bernardino Valley College. She started her career as a Teacher Assistant at Teddy Bear Tymes, a non-profit daycare center that offered infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten services. Carmen believed in higher education and encouraged her children to attend college and pursue their goals and interests. It filled her heart with pride and joy when all three kids graduated college and most recently when her grandson began his college journey.

Carmen had many interests and hobbies. She enjoyed taking walks through the park and visited museums and gardens where she appreciated art and nature. She grew her own garden of various plants, flowers and fruits. Carmen loved watching movies, especially comedies and action movies, loved listening to music by Julio Iglesias and Andrea Bocelli, and cooking Bolivian food such as Salteñas and Piccana for the holidays. She loved to dance at parties and family gatherings especially the Cueca, a traditional Bolivian dance. She was a "dog whisperer" as dogs would behave for her and tell her all their problems. She could fix almost anything and enjoyed solving problems. Carmen truly cared about others, often putting everyone before herself. She was strong in her faith, praying everyday for family and friends. She volunteered to care for extended family members who were ill and showed a genuine interest and support in the lives of friends, families, and acquaintances. Most importantly, her focus was her children and grandchildren's happiness. She felt great joy when all were together and would spend quality time with her family, watching TV shows like her favorite Bewitched, playing Cacho (Bolivian Yahtzee), and attending her grandson's school events and activities. What she cherished the most were the deep conversations and shared stories she had with each of her kids.

Carmen leaves behind her husband Carlos Sardan, three children Angela Sardan-Long, Carlos Sardan Jr. and Rebecca Sardan, son in law, Bradley Long, two grandsons Aidan Long and Zion Marroquin, and extended family and friends.

Carmen often sent inspirational messages to her family through social media. One of the last messages she sent was, "Wishing you a beautiful day filled with unexpected joys and endless possibilities!!".