Duarte Mayor Pro Tem Tzeitel Paras-Caracci passed away on Saturday after a lengthy battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. She was just 49 years old.
Tzeitel was born in the Philippines. She moved to Los Angeles with her family in 1975 and settled in Duarte ten years later. After graduating from Duarte High School, she attended Woodbury University in Burbank.
Tzeitel was first elected to the Duarte City Council in 2001, becoming the first Filipino American to serve on the dais. She served as mayor in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2019. She also served on the Board of Directors for the National League of Cities, the League of California Cities Board, and as President of APAMO (Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials). She was a Director for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, a Governing Board Member of Foothill Transit, a board member of the Duarte Community Coordinating Council, and a member of the Duarte Woman’s Club.
“One of her proudest accomplishments was initiating the Mayor’s Youth Council to help students become familiar and active with government,” according to a news release. “Tzeitel was thankful every day to have the opportunity to make a difference and served the public for over 21 years on the City Council.”
Mayor Margaret Finlay called Tzeitel “an immensely capable” leader and friend.
“Her smile and energy were infectious, and it was an honor to serve on Council with her. On behalf of the Council and City Staff, we express our condolences to her family and offer our full support in this time of need.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in her memory for the City of Hope at cityofhope.org/giving/give-honor-or-memory.
Tzeitel’s passing comes less than a year after the sudden death of Duarte Mayor Bryan Urias.