Irma Carrete De Mena

She was called to Heaven and into the loving arms of Christ and was reunited with her husband Everardo Mena to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee Wedding Anniversary in heaven and dance with each other again, he died 4 months ago on August 16th 2023; only two days before their 60th Wedding Anniversary. 


Irma was born on September 22, 1940, in La Cofradia in Santa María del Oro, Durango, Mexico, she was the eldest child of Jose Guadalupe and Maria Heredia de Carrete.

Her early years were spent in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and at the age of 23 yrs. she met and married Everardo Mena in 1963.

During her years in Ciudad Juarez, Irma was an entrepreneur and became the owner a very successful clothing boutique, whom famous singer Juan Gabriel frequented. She had exquisite taste in clothing and he would ask Irma to buy him expensive silk shirts and pants from the USA so he could wear them during his performances.

Irma and Everardo soon said goodbye to Mexico and headed to Southern California in 1972, where they found a new life for their growing family in the heart of Santa Ana.

Irma wasn’t just a devoted wife and an amazing loving mother of five successful and professional children but was also an extremely talented business woman. Speaking only Spanish, she became Avon’s #1 sales representative in the country! She was also a member of the Santa Ana Woman’s Club where she donated some of her many talents to the community.

Cooking was her favorite hobby which lead to one of her recipes being published in Sunset Magazine in the early 1970’s.

In the 1980’s Irma realized she had a talent in sales and could sell anything to her loyal customers and connections so she decided to leave Avon and start her own business but this time it was selling 14k gold jewelry in which she retired in her older years. Irma finally became a US citizen, in her later years, this was an accomplishment she was very proud of.

Irma enjoyed cooking and gardening especially taking care of her beautiful rose garden, listening to music by favorite musician, Juan Gabriel, dancing with her beloved husband, watching Spanish telenovelas, spending time shopping, and also enjoyed a good conversation with family, friends and neighbors. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren who all loved and cherished her dearly.

Irma leaves a wonderful legacy behind and is survived by her five children:, Irma Araceli Mena Olguin, Eduardo Mena, Maria Isela Mena, Everardo Mena Jr., and Jaime Mena. Her legacy further lives on through her six grandchildren: Andrew Olguin, Richard Olguin, Jennifer Olguin Jimenez, Richard Everardo Mena, Eduardo Allen Mena, and Ricardo Antonio Mena; along with eight great-grandchildren: Alyssa Olguin, Noah Olguin, Ryan Olguin, Vida Jimenez, Lucy Olguin, Liliana Jimenez, Amelia Olguin, and Victoria Jimenez.

Her siblings a part of her cherished heritage: Martha Carrete ✝️, ️ Alfonso Carrete, Guadalupe P. Carrete ✝️, ️ Estela Carrete️, Jesus Joel Carrete, and Lourdes Carrete.

A time to honor and remember Irma Carrete has been set, with a viewing scheduled at Saddleback Chapel Mortuary on January 19th, between 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, in which then we will travel to Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, where a final farewell will take place as we lay to rest her loving soul. A Reception at Orange Hill Restaurant will follow immediately after the burial

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