Louise L. P. Olivas; Member of Pioneer Family

Ventura native Louise Lorenzana Pacheco Olivas died Sunday at a local convalescent home following a lengthy illness. She was 92.

Olivas was born in Ventura on Oct. 17, 1906, to Panfilo Lorenzana and Mary Pacheco. She was an eighth-generation native from one of the city’s pioneering families.

She was the great-granddaughter of Felipe Lorenzana, one of the original landowners of the site of the Olivas Adobe in Ventura. She had also been the oldest living child of her parents and was considered the family matriarch. Her family called her “Toti.”

Olivas was described as a devoted mother and grandmother, and a friend to many people. She spoke proudly of the fact that each of her three sons served long-term careers in the U. S. military.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Olivas, and the youngest of her sons, Billy Olivas.

Olivas is survived by sons Edward Romero of Westminster and Lawrence Martinez of Albuquerque, N. M.; a brother, Joe Lorenzana of Ventura; two sisters, Carmelita Flores and Dolores Attaway, both of Ventura; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

There will be visitation from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. A vigil will be led by Olivas’ cousin, Father Bill Olivas, at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be said at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at San Buenaventura Mission in Ventura, with interment to follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Olivas’ name to San Buenaventura Mission Holy Cross School Building Fund in Ventura.