It is with love and a heavy heart that we share on January 16, 2026, Florence (Flo) LaFarga passed away peacefully at home, with her children by her side. Born on May 2, 1931, she grew up in Redondo and Hermosa Beach raised by her mom and dad Francisca Mendoza Lujan and Julian Lujan. The oldest of five children, in her younger years, she attended and graduated from Redondo Union High School, worked as a checker at DeSimone Market, and enjoyed going to dances at the Redondo Barn. There, she met a handsome, young sax player Alex LaFarga of San Pedro and on October 10, 1950 they married. Soon after they moved to Torrance where they raised their two children Lu and Bob and shared their lives together for over 60 years. She continued to work, periodically as a cashier and member of the Retail Clerks Union at various markets throughout the South Bay. In her later years she volunteered as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking children and families at the Pediatrics Clinic at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and later was hired in the Billing Office at Harbor where she continued to work and retired after 10 years. She was creative taking up many hobbies including making resin grape clusters (everyone got them for Christmas), crocheting, quilt making and tole painting.

Full of life, fun and joy, she grew up and enjoyed her large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, while keeping a loving and watchful eye over her brothers and sister. Over the years she was grateful for the many lifelong friends she made growing up, through her work, taking classes, attending church, through her kids and, of course, through Alex’s work and the bands he played with. She and Alex loved music and were natural dance partners attending local “tardeadas” in their younger days. Later, they enjoyed traveling. They went on numerous cruises, and took many trips with Bob and the Laborer Local 507’s retirees club. She looked forward to weekend trips to Palm Desert and her annual surprise Christmas trips with Lu.

Flo loved dancing with Alex, loved her house, working in the garden, sitting in the sun enjoying her flowers, and going for walks at the beach. Most of all she loved quiet times at home with Alex and her family. Her heart was always with her three grandsons and two great-grandsons. She lit up when she would see them. This Thanksgiving was a blessing the whole family was able to share and cherish with her. In her final days, it didn’t take much to make her happy. Watching Dodgers games with Bob, Saturday trips to Trader Joe’s to buy flowers with Lu, short walks, sitting on a bench at the beach, eating ice cream and grapes. She cherished kisses from each of her grandsons and great-grandsons, holding their hands tightly just days before she passed.

She was so grateful for the care and support of her family and caregivers who showered her with kindness and love and took care of her when she needed it most, while at home in her house and the garden she loved. She was always very thankful and would say “I’m so lucky.” We are the lucky ones.

She is survived by her daughter Lucille LaFarga-Takeuchi (Dana), son Robert LaFarga (Helen), her grandsons Alex LaFarga, Nick LaFarga, Joshua LaFarga (Mireya), and great-grandsons Alex LaFarga and Logan LaFarga, her sister Lena Tracey (Lee), brother Gilbert Lujan, and many nieces and nephews.