* Rebecca S. Cartman; Retail Manager

When Rebecca S. Cartman was born, the czar reigned in her native Russia and Wilbur and Orville Wright were still dreaming about powered flight.

And during the course of a 102-year-long life that ended Tuesday, the Camarillo resident was noted for a strong sense of curiosity.

“She saw so much history during her life,” said her daughter, Zelda Robinson, 79, also of Camarillo. “She marveled at things like the first moon walk and when the Soviet Union fell apart. She thought these things were miracles.”

A longtime Lomita resident, Cartman moved to Camarillo’s Leisure Village 15 years ago and was known among residents for the blue golf cart she drove after giving up her driver’s license at age 92.

Cartman immigrated to the United States as a child and lived in Los Angeles with her father, Jacob Schwartz, who was credited with starting the city’s first soda pop bottling plant.

During World War II, Cartman served as a trouble-shooter for Douglas Aircraft Co. But it was in her role as manager of bridal departments for May Co. stores that Cartman shined, Robinson said.

“She used to attend her customers’ weddings on a regular basis--she wanted to make sure everything was just right,” Robinson said. “But after the father and the daughter would start down the aisle, she’d leave.”

Cartman had been a widow since 1929, when her husband, Simon J. Cartman, died.

A lifelong Democrat, Rebecca Cartman voted religiously throughout her adult life, and cast her ballot during the 1992 presidential election.

“Clinton was her fair-haired boy,” Robinson said. “But she always said she really voted for Mrs. Clinton.”

Also surviving are grandsons Steven C. Seal of Alameda, Andrew D. Seal of San Francisco, and Jonathan R. Seal of Seattle.