One of 14 children of Mexican immigrant parents Modesta Gamez and Crescenciano Hernandez, she was born Jan. 7, 1917 in Wilmington. She graduated from the city's Banning High School with the class of 1934, and despite incurring irreparable ear injuries from a near-fatal swimming accident during her senior year, she afterwards received a nursing certificate from Cerritos College in Norwalk. The training enabled her to open her own licensed child day care service in Artesia, where she lived for 21 years with her husband and their two children, Roderick and Nancy.
A social gathering will follow the Rose Hills Cemetery grave site blessing April 1.
She is survived by daughter Nancy Himes-Huckabey ("P.G."); three brothers, Arthur, Mike and John "Bob"; two sisters, May Jones and Gavina Marshall; and grandsons Warren Huckabey and Dr. Edward Himes.
Her daughter suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory.
She was born in Nebraska and lived in Downey the past 48 years.
Survivors include her husband, Douglas; daughters Ann and Valerie; her son, Robert; and six grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in her name to the Downey Emblem Club No. 309, P.O.Box 562, Downey CA
Before moving to Aliso Viejo he and his wife, Lily, lived for 43 years in Downey where they raised eight children. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and was a sheet metal worker for a local company.
During his 14 years in Aliso Viejo, he was an active member of Corpus Christi parish.
Survivors include six children; 11 grandchildren; and three brothers, Louis, Daniel and Joseph Russo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today (Friday, March 22) at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
He died March 15, 2002.
Survivors include his wife, Alba; his sons, Larry (Jennifer), and Peter (Pam); grandchildren Hannah, Maria and Julia; a sister, Mary Mettiliano; and a brother, Demetrio Serraino.
Arrangements are by Gardenside Funeral Service of South Gate.
He was 75, born in Brooklyn, New York, Aug. 27, 1926, and died March 14, 2002 in Lakewood.
He liked horse racing and bocce ball, and was a member of the Bocce Ball Club of Downey, the Sons of Italy and the Downey Elks Lodge.
Survivors include his sons, Frank, George and Perry; his daughter, Deborah; a sister, Theresa; and seven grandchildren, Kirstina, Jeff, Jessica, Lauren, Alexandra, Gregory and Matthew.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Concetta, who died in 1983.
Burial followed at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach. Arrangements were by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuarty.