(WSNN) – Carla Wallenda may be a famous aerialist, but to her family, she’s much more. She passed away last weekend.
The Suncoast aerialist, Carla Wallenda, was the last surviving member of the original Wallenda daredevil troupe, “The Flying Wallendas.”
While she was a circus legend to millions, she was just a grandmother to her family.
“She was just ‘Oma,’ her grandaughter, Lyric Wallenda said. “She was truly the backbone of our family. She Spoiled us rotten, let us get away with murder. She was still that cozy one that made you feel secure and comfortable.”
“She was my hero, she was the matriarch, she was the one that held the family together, the strength of our family, she was admired and loved by not only our family but by all,” her daughter Rietta Wallenda said.
Saturday, Carla passed away of natural causes at age 85.
“I will miss picking up the phone and asking for her advice on the show or even fixing the trailer on the road or just to call her to say I love her,” Lyric said.
But instead of taking the day off and mourning their grandmother, they had to perform at the Strawberry Festival.
“When she passed Saturday, we gave our grandmother a final applause,” Lyric said while crying.
No matter the circumstance, the show must go on.
“We’re still grieving and still have pain, but I think that she wouldn’t want us doing anything different right now, and we’re here performing every day doing what she would want us to be doing,” Lyric said.
But this performance had special meaning.
“It’s like the circle of life,” Lyric said. “This was the last performance I did with her in a show at the Strawberry Festival.”
Carla Performed heart-stopping high wire stunts into her 80s. She holds three world records and was inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame in 2019.
“We’re so thankful to have been born in the circus family,” Lyric said. “And it’s honorable for me to still carry on my abilities, my family tradition, and passing it on to the next generation.”
But at the end of the day, she was just Oma. Their family described her in one word and this is what they said.
“Incredible,” Lyric said
“Legend,” Rietta said.
“Strong,” Lyric’s husband, Simon Arestov said.
“Love,” Lyric’s son, Alexander Wallenda Arestovsaid said, and then blew a kiss.
“We hope to make you proud, love you Oma,” Simon said.
Carla’s legacy will live on forever on the Suncoast. Her funeral is next week, March 18th at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota at 1:30 pm, followed by a service at Manasota Memorial Cemetery Rotunda at the Showfolks of Sarasota at 5 pm. And It’s open to the public.
