California park to be renamed in tribute to late Fil-Am mayor and Councilwoman

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To have one’s legacy honored and paid tribute to is but a natural effect of a life that has left an indelibe mark in other’s. Such is the case in the city of Duarte, which pays tribute to late Mayor and Councilwoman Tzeitel Paras-Caracci by renaming a park after her.

While a park in Milpitas was named after the farmer hero “Delano Manongs,” California is naming a park after another Filipino-American local community hero—a testament to how Filipinos take pride in taking care of people around them.

From its name Royal Oaks Park Extension, it will be changed to Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park this Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. at 2701 Royal Oaks Drive, Duarte.

The tribute is made even more special as the park is a place the late council member holds dear. It was at this park that she and her husband K.C. Carracci, tied the knot in 2003.

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The city held a memorial service for the Mayor Pro Tem at Duarte City Hall when she died last June 25 aftera three-year battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

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Who was Tzeitel Paras-Caracci

There are many Filipino American women making an impact in their community and gaining titles like “Most Influential Filipina Woman,” and Carracci was also a trailblazer along their ranks. She was the first Filipino-American member of the Duarte City Council.

Park to be renamed after late Duarte Councilwoman Tzeitel Paras-Caracci https://t.co/k7leEtr6Yn

— San Gabriel Valley Tribune (@SGVTribune) October 30, 2023

Born in the Philippines, her family moved to Los Angeles in 1975 before eventually making Duarte her home 10 years later. From founding the Mayor’s Youth Council to being an important figure on the National League of Cities Board of Directors, her imprints were hard to miss.

In addition, she was also the president of the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials in the League of California Cities, the president of Duarte Women’s Club, and a member of the National League of Cities Board of Directors.

As her fellow City Councilmember Sam Kang remembers her, “TZ was the most caring person that I have ever known. She was always eager to share positive encouragements and supported so many people in the community. Her love and kindness will never be forgotten.”

This California park is a dear reminder of the love she shared not just with her family but also within the community she served and held close to her heart.