Lidia Almazan

August 3, 1940 - April 7, 2019

Salt Lake City, UT – Mama Lila, age 78, was welcomed into the other side of the veil by her caring husband, dear parents, and other departed loving family members on Sunday April 7, 2019. She was named Lydia Almazan Rodriguez being the first-born child of Samuel Almazan Flores and Ubalda Rodriguez Salazar in Cerro Azul, Veracruz, Mexico on August 3, 1940. She was born on the day of Saint Lydia of Thyatira after whom she was named according to tradition. Mama Lila would later in life assert her uniqueness by legally changing the spelling of her name to Lidia. As a young woman, she would marry Carlos Jimenez Cruz and had five children: Adriana Guadalupe, Lidia Patricia, Carlos Samuel, Maria del Rocio, and Maria de la Concepcion. Mama Lila and Papa Carlos then decided to renew their marriage bows by performing a catholic marriage in which their children made the formal announcement. Few years later they would welcome their youngest child, Dax Carlos Aidil. After accepting the teachings of the restored gospel, Mama Lila and Papa Carlos decided to seal their marriage covenant this time for eternity in the Mexico City Temple. Their posterity was further increased with eight grandchildren: Adrian, Alan, Sabrina, Vanessa, Isabella, Andres Carlos, Andria, and Alex; and three great-grandchildren: Giselle, Valeria, and Oliver. Lidia grew up during a time of economic boom brought by the pumping of the renown oil well #4 which was one of the most productive wells in the world at that time. She not only a difficult childhood but thrive in the pursuit of the few educational and work opportunities available to women in her hometown while cultivating lifetime friendships along the way. Lidia’s desire to pursuit additional opportunities for betterment drove her to migrate to Mexico City, the capital city of the country. Once she established herself there, her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in overdrive. She would work for a bank and run a boarding home for students. One of those students was a handsome, if somehow quiet, dark-skin young man from Poza Rica, Ver. named Carlos. And a story of love unfolded as all the stories of love have since the first boy in the world fell in love for the first time with the most beautiful girl. This romance will culminate on just not with one marriage but three over the course of their lives together. Carlos and Lidia started their marriage life and began rising their young family in a house which will be their home for over a half of a century located in La Roma, an up and coming district of the city. Carlos will become the main breadwinner for the home and his professional obligations would often require him to work for long periods of time away from home. Mama Lila would become then the matriarchal of the home being the source of discipline, protection and leadership for her children. She would dot their childhood with everyday act of kindness, walking them to school, baking and decorating cakes for their birthdays, cooking daily home meals, and running a clean and organized home. Lidia would briefly pursuit a career at a local bank and a short stint in the real estate market but finally opted to dedicate herself wholly to the care and rising of her children. This didn’t mean the business gene inherited from a linage of traders was suppressed. She would often engage in start-up business which would often result in an exercise of occupational therapy than a source of meaningful wealth. She would always open her home to welcome any one who needed a place to settle. Most of her siblings and in-laws lived under her roof at some point in their lives and although her house was small, in her inn there was always room for the wandering pilgrim. She fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, clothed the naked and took into her home the stranger. Dozens of people who enjoyed her hospitality will remember with gratitude her kind generosity. Of all the noble traits Lidia had, true friendship was the one that shiniest the most. All those who were fortunate enough to call her a friend will attest of this. She was an honorable woman who conducted herself with property and honesty in her dealing with others. Lidia was a trustworthy and trusting woman and even when she felt victim of those who took advantage of her kindness, she would never stop believing that people were inherently decent and well-intended. Lidia loved life and being alive. She was indeed the life of every and any party. She was not a big fan of music per se but she loved dancing and singing. The passage of time could never temper her joyful, and lively nature. She was a people person who thrived in social settings. She was of a curious mind learning and trying new experiences. As her children, one by one, migrated to the United States, Lidia and her husband would hold a last stand on their native country. But as the pull of the posterity strengthen from the north and the loneliness of old age begun to laden their lives. They surrendered and decided to once again migrate to a new land. This was the most difficult time in the life of Lidia. Limited by the language barrier, cut off from life-time friends and acquittances, and isolated by the hustle of a foreign life, Lidia’s upbeat nature would wither. The health challenges she faced during most part of her life would be aggravated with the old age and the loss of her husband would bring her down too many days and nights of painful solitude. Lidia was a woman of faith who would always pray in private according to the teachings of our Savior. She would often draw her children to exercise their faith in God and encourage them to worship. She was supportive of her children’s and grandchildren’s proselyting missions. Her discipleship would be expressed on everyday acts of service and kindness to family members, friends and strangers. Lidia found joy and rejoiced in her posterity. The joy her children brought her was increase with the arrival of her grandchildren and further compounded by the coming of her great-grandchildren. The bonds she forged with each one of them will endure through eternities. In the Book of Judges, the Lord commands Barak to charge against the Canaanites. Barak refuses to go to battle without the support and assistance of the judge and prophetess, Deborah. Deborah agrees to lead in battle and proclaims the victory would belong to a woman. In the tradition of Deborah of old, Lidia would be a leader and a warrior of steely courage and determination. She would fiercely protect her family and fight against injustice. Lidia was a tour de force who left her mark in the lives of those who came to know her. She is the one who could get things done. She was the strong one, the fearless, the courageous, the trailblazer. She stood on her own two feet and work for all she got in life and even so she was always exceedingly generous to all those around her. Lidia was front and center in the lives of her family, her absence leaves a hollow crevice around which her posterity will have to learn to rebuild their lives. Her imprint will endure in all of them forever. We are happy that once again Mama Lila has been reunited with Papa Carlos, her parents and grandparents, siblings and friends. We bid farewell honoring her joy for life and rest assure that a welcome party was prepared for her on the other side. Mama Lila you will never be gone. Our deepest, heartfelt gratitude to all those relatives, friends and professional care providers who assisted us to care for Mama Lila in mortality, thank you. A viewing will be held from 9 to 9:45 am followed by the funeral services at 10 am on Saturday April 20th, 2019 at Union Park 9th Ward on 8060 S 615 E Sandy. Internment will take place at the Sandy City cemetery, 700 E 9000 S, Sandy UT