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Olga Romero Weems was born October 15, 1944 in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, the eldest of 8
children born to Leobardo Romero and Irene Aguirre. As a young child, Olga worked in the pastures
alongside her Father and seasonally travelled to the sugar mills in the state of Veracruz to help support
her younger siblings. This need instilled an incredible work ethic throughout her life.
As a young woman, Olga left her village and moved to Mexico City to live with her sister, Cira in search
of a better life. In 1967, the two sisters were separated when Cira moved to “El Norte”. Olga remained
in the city and started working in her Aunt’s restaurant where she subsequently met her eldest
daughter, Elvia’s Father. In 1971, Cira asked Olga to move to California so that she could find better
means to support her daughter. While it was a painful decision, Olga left her infant daughter with her
Mother, Irene for the next few years so that she could pursue a better life for both.
While temporarily living in Tijuana, Olga met and married her one and only husband, Elmer Weems.
They both settled in the small beach community of Carlsbad, California. A few years later, Olga became
pregnant with her youngest daughter, Lily and then returned to Mexico to bring her eldest daughter
Elvia to join the rest of the family in Carlsbad. The Weems family remained in the same house in
Carlsbad for 18 years. As a doting and loving husband, Elmer helped Olga’s younger siblings and their
children migrate to this country during this time and helped ease their transition from Mexico –
providing housing, food, and work whenever possible.
In the early years, Olga worked in Mr Miles nursery alongside her husband. She eventually worked at the
Tabata Farm and Flower Fields in Carlsbad where she learned to pick and pack strawberries, tomatoes,
and flowers. After many years, Olga moved on and started working at the San Clemente Ranch,
eventually leaving the workforce to care for her husband. The Weems family ultimately moved to
Riverside in the early 90's to be closer to Olga’s siblings. Several years after her late husband’s death,
Olga moved to Maple Valley, Washington to live with her youngest daughter, Lily. Olga loved living in
Washington! The cooler climate, green forests, and surrounding lakes, rivers, and waterfalls brought her
peace and calm. During these years, Olga boasted about the comforts of her new home with Lily,
working together in the yard and garden, dining out at various new restaurants (she loved eating),
frequent weekend outings, and camping with friends.
At the age of 75, many would describe Olga as having incredible strength and stamina to perform
difficult and laborious work in the yard and would easily outpace many half her age – often teasing that
no one could keep up with her. A lover of music and dance, Olga was the life of the party and made
many smile with her unique talent – dancing with an opened beer can on her head! Her smile was
infectious and all who loved her will never forget her kindness, generosity, care and love for her family,
and of course, her cooking! Some of the family favorites included aporriado, mole, pork with chili and
cactus, breakfast burritos, refried beans, and her fluffy Mexican rice.
Olga had an abundance of long-time friends and was known by many as “La Paloma”, “Honey, “Mama
and Ama”, “Mija”, “Hermana”, “Abuelita and Grandma”. Olga passed on Wednesday, April 22, 2020
after a series of health related complications during her final 6 months of life. She was preceded in
death by her late-husband, Elmer Weems and her Father, Leobardo Romero. She is survived by her 93
year old Mother Irene; 2 daughters Elvia (50) and Lily (45); 4 grandchildren Marlem (31), Analy (27),
Angela (19), and Banning (13); 2 great-grandchildren Corina (7) and Avery (5). Olga was the oldest of 8
and is additionally survived by 3 sisters Cira, Evelia, Ever and 4 brothers Juan, Hugo, Huber, Bertoldo and
many nieces and nephews who she loved as her own.
Due to the challenging times in our world, limited services are being performed with Grimes-Akes Family
Funeral Home in Corona, California on Monday, May 11th – those that can attend in person have been
notified. For those that cannot attend, live video will be transmitted over the internet and details will be
shared upon request. Olga will be laid to rest with her husband on May 12, 2020 at Riverside National
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Olga Romero Weems, please visit our floral store.