Lia Parker, First Spirit of Fiesta, Dies at 88

By the edhat staff

Old Spanish Days’ very first Spirit of Fiesta, Lia Parker, passed away this week at the age of 88.

Parker died peacefully in her home at the Garden Court senior complex over the weekend, as first reported by KEYT News.

This year’s La Presidente Maria Cabrera said Old Spanish Days extends prayers to Parker’s family. “”She was an outstanding and much-respected member of our Fiesta family. As first Spirit, she will forever hold a special place in our community’s history,” she said.

Parker was the first Spirit of Fiesta in 1949 and continued through 1951. In recent years, Parker and other residents at Garden Court received an annual visit from the Fiesta Los Niños de las Flores. 

Lia Parker in 1945 (courtesy photo)

Los Niños de las Flores with Lia Parker (front center) in 2018 [Photo by Fritz Olenberger]