Dina Benita Caruso

Dina Benita Caruso, daughter of Coronel Agustin Candia and Mercedes Davalos, was born on May 6, 1939, and she died on July 18, 2022, at Oshner General Medical Center.

Dina, or later known in life as "Bella" by her grandchildren was born in Paraguay, South America and studied nursing in Puiggari, Entre Rios, Argentina.  Upon graduation she worked as a surgical nurse at the Sanatorio Adventista de Asuncion. She met her husband (James A. Caruso, Sr.) while working as his nurse, a true made for a movie love story.  Dina was a world traveler she lived in Paraguay, Brazil, Germany, and in many different states in the United States.  Her greatest joy in life was being a mother and grandmother.  She loved her family and faith immensely.

Dina as a nurse was a natural care giver and storyteller, she loved to hear and tell a good story.  She would often tell the story about how her father was injured in the Chaco-Bolivian war and was able to return to his “Mercedes De La Republica”, he called her that because in Paraguay there was no royalty.  She would talk proudly about her country and explain how the Paraguayan flag had two sides and explain about her culture.  She would tell stories about all the animals that her father would keep at home and by far her favorite was her pet parrot “Loreto”.  She would tell us that Loreto would call her siblings names and sing the song “Cachito”.

She was equally proud about her American citizenship and would let everyone know that there was nothing better than the United States.  She loved to travel and learn about different cultures and gain experiences to add to her collection of stories.

Dina was avid person of faith and read her devotional and bible daily.  She exemplified what a Christian person should be with giving and actions.  She was active in the 7 ^th day Adventist Church wherever she lived.  Her warm and inviting smile was contagious to everyone around her and she made lifelong friends easily.

Dina enjoyed a “good” cup of coffee with friends and family.  Coffee time was her time to serve you a cup of coffee; honestly it was never about the coffee, it was about the act of serving others and making you feel welcomed and loved.  Once coffee was served it was time to catch up, relax and enjoy the moment.  Dina enjoyed hobbies such as sewing, needlepointing, and macrame, she would also admire Paraguayan lace making called Ñandutí and wished that she had learned the craft.  Dina never stopped learning and installed the importance of continuous learning and education with her children.

She is survived by her children, James A. Caruso, Jr. and his wife Tomicka C. Caruso and Tanya C. Martin and her husband David J. Martin; five grandchildren, Austin Caruso, Addison Caruso, Elise Martin, Ella Martin, and Luke Martin; her sister Lilia Candia de Flor and her husband Eduardo Elias Flor and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Agustin Candia and Mercedes Davalos, her brother's Victor Candia, Juan (Nenito) Candia, and Agustin Candia; and her sister Martha Candia.

There will be a visitation service at David's Funeral Home of Lafayette 316 Youngsville Hwy, Lafayette, LA 70508 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM on Friday, July 22, with the memorial services beginning 2:00PM.