Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries (Glendale) promoted Michelle Villegas to vice president, Long Beach. She has been with Forest Lawn for more than 20 years, most recently as memorialization manager. Previously, she worked at LAC-USC Hospital in hospitality and nutrition.
Villegas holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management with an emphasis in human resources from the University of La Verne, as well as a certified cemetery manager license.
“We are thrilled to have a respected team member take leadership of our Long Beach park,” said Darin Drabing, Forest Lawn president and CEO. “Over the past 20 years, Michelle has held numerous roles within Forest Lawn and brings knowledge of a broad scope of operational and personal experiences to the vice president role. Her positive energy and guidance will be an asset to our families and our community.”
In other news, on November 2, Forest Lawn celebrated Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with free, family-friendly events at its Cathedral City, Covina Hills, Cypress and Glendale locations. The community events honored the memories of the dead and bridged connections with ancestors.
Highlights of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations include folklorico dance and mariachi performances, Bob Baker Marionette Theater performances, community “ofrendas” (altars), traditional Catrina and “alebrijes” (spirit animal) artwork, arts and crafts, face painting, refreshments, and food trucks and carts with delicious offerings.
This year also marked the seventh appearance of six-foot-tall Catrina sculptures – artisanal creations crafted by Forest Lawn’s floral designers and inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations. The skeletal women symbolize the return of departed loved ones, and remind the living to be true to themselves and enjoy life. Each of Forest Lawn’s Catrina sculptures has her own look, with distinct costumes and accessories inspired by the early 20th century, when Jose Guadalupe Posada and Diego Rivera first popularized Catrinas. Alebrijes accompanied the life-size sculptures, as well.
“Forest Lawn’s lively and colorful Dia de los Muertos events welcome the community to our memorial parks for an authentic Mexican celebration of life,” said Rodolfo Saenz, Forest Lawn’s senior vice president of marketing. “We look forward to coming together to honor the traditions and lives of the past, and celebrating the vitality of the present.”
ForestLawn.com