Our beloved and adored mother, Carmen Lopez Ochoa, of Lompoc, passed away peacefully at her home on May 24th, 2024, with her family at her side.  She was 101 years old.

Carmen was the heart and soul of our home and family.  Words cannot describe how much she'll be missed.

Carmen was born on July 24th, 1922, in Ario de Rayon, Michoacan, Mexico to Susana Perez de Maya and Ramon Lopez Prado.  She was the oldest of five siblings.

Carmen followed her husband to Lompoc in 1946 with their three oldest sons.  Around that time, she began working at Bodger Seed Company, along with her husband, they both retired from there.  Over the next several years her family grew to seven more children.  Carmen made along lasting friends with the families that also lived and worked at Bodger.

After retirement Carmen could be seen at the senior center where she would lunch at daily and at times volunteer her time there as well.  Carmen loved to spend time in her kitchen preparing some of our favorite meals.  She made sure there was always something for everyone to eat.  Carmen enjoyed daily walks, she would walk to church every day.  She enjoyed working on her garden, crocheting, playing bingo, and she really loved lotto scratchers.  Carmen was caregiver.  At the young age of five she prepared meals and helped care for her grandparents.  She had such fond memories of her time with them.

Carmen is survived by her children Jose "Joe" Ochoa, Ramon "Ray" Ochoa (Kimberly), Carmen Albarran (Ignacio), Enrique "Henry" Ochoa, Margarita "Margie" Ochoa, all of Lompoc and Maria Elena "Helen" Swartwout of Portland Oregon.  She is also survived by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  Carmen is preceded in death by her husband Jesus Rafael Ochoa, her sons Roberto "Bobby" Ochoa, Daniel "Danny" Ochoa, Antonio "Tony" Ochoa, Jesus "Chuy" Ochoa, and her grandchildren Teresa "Terri" Ochoa, and Jose "Joey" Ochoa.

Though mom may no longer be with us in body, her strength and spirit will continue to inspire and uplift us.  May she rest in peace knowing she was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Monday, June 3rd, from 4:00-8:00 PM at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary (123 N. "A" St., Lompoc) with rosary at 6:30 PM.  Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 4th, at 10:00 AM at La Purisima Catholic Church (213 W. Olive Ave., Lompoc) followed by a processional to Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.  Celebration of life to follow at Generations United, 1000 N. 7th St., Lompoc.

The family would like to thank the staff at VMA Health for the care and comfort they provided.