Latino Community Activist Dies at 95

A funeral service was held today for Lucille Beserra Roybal, community activist and widow of Rep. Edward R. Roybal, the late Los Angeles Democrat and Latino lawmaker who died last Sunday at age 95, two weeks shy of her 96th birthday, according to the Roybal Foundation.

Beserra Roybal was a political activist and leader on her husband's Los Angeles City Council and congressional campaign teams. She also devoted her time to various grassroots and community-based causes throughout her life, including working as an outreach representative for the Well Baby Clinic, The Red Cross and other public health and charitable organizations.

As a co-founder of the Community Service Organization, she served as one of the first Latina registrar of voters in Los Angeles.

She and her husband were married for 65 years, until his death in 2005.

In recognition of her contributions to the Boyle Heights community, the city named the Lucille Beserra Roybal Family Source Center in her honor. In 1993 and 1996, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and MANA -- a national Latina advocacy organization -- both honored Beserra Roybal with their highest awards for her dedication to the Latino community both in Los Angeles and nationwide.

Rep. Edward Roybal represented Southern California for 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives following 13 years on the City Council. Numerous area buildings bear his name to honor his legacy.

Beserra Roybal is survived by two daughters, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles, and Lillian Roybal-Rose; and a son, Ed Roybal Jr.

- City News Service