Lydia Aguilar, a long-time resident of El Toro, died Friday evening December 3rd, in her home surrounded by family and loved ones.

Lydia was born in in Anaheim, California in 1924. Fresh out of high school she joined the war effort working at Norththrop Aircraft on the P61 night fighter. She met her husband Bob Aguilar on a beach in Corona Del Mar in 1942 and married Bob after he returned from the war in 1946 and started a family. Once her six children were of school-age, Lydia went back to school and became a licensed vocational nurse. Lydia and Bob retired in 1981 and enjoyed spending time at their beach house in Mexico, growing fruit on her families ranch in Lake Elsinore, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Lydia loved her family, politics, and conversations, and often surprised you with her dry sense of humor. She was opinionated and sturdy in her beliefs but compassionate and nurturing in the relationships she shared with others. Her strength is now reflected in the family she has left behind.

Lydia is survived by her three sisters Esther, Pauline and Lucille, her six children Larry, Alan, Jack, Linda, Louise and Jaime, their twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was the truest form of a matriarch and she will be missed and always loved and remembered.

The O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills has been entrusted with arrangements.