Paula Labrador Fuertes

Paula Fuertes was born on May 10, 1928, in San Narciso, Zambales, Philippines.
Raised in San Narciso, Zambales, Paula attended the Zambales Academy and the National Teacher's College in Manila.

In 1952, Paula married Domingo Fuertes. Together for 54 years, they raised five children; Louis (Anne), Joan (Carl), Robert (Tina), Angel (Darlene) and John (Jonalynn). Throughout the years, she welcomed eleven grandchildren; Anthony, Shannon, Natalie, Lisa, Michael, Matthew, Bobby, Lauren, Sydney, Charlotte, and Leslie and six great grandchildren; Jaiden, Adrianna, Tyson, Manaia, Jasmin, and Marley.

Paula was a very devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Providing love and support to her family, she was very protective, caring and generous to all. Because of her strong belief in making a difference in the lives of her extended family, she worked hard to help them make the most of their educational opportunities.

At a very young age, Paula began to care for and support her immediate family members well into early adulthood. In 1954, after her marriage to Domingo, she left her family in the Philippines and migrated to the United States fulfilling her role as a Navy Spouse. She gave birth to Louis in New York City, Joan and Robert in Newport, Rhode Island as well as Angel and John in Long Beach, CA.

In 1959, Paula and her family settled in Long Beach, California. They moved to Fountain Valley in 1972 and lived there until she fell ill in November of 2014. She started her affiliation with the Holy Spirit Catholic Church when they held mass in a small wooden building across the street from the current building.

Paula was an active parishioner of the Holy Spirit Church, and a member of the Zambales Academy Association, and the San Narciso Association of California, providing support for various fund raising projects.

Paula began teaching in Zambales, Philippines at the age of 20. She taught English and music in the towns of Castellejos and San Narciso. After arriving in the US, she became a Data Processor for McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for 25 years. After retirement, she and a group of her devoted friends made many trips to various casinos throughout Southern California and Nevada.

Paula was an avid gardener. She often shared gardening and cultivating tips with her dear friends and neighbors. She loved to raise orchids and cymbidiums. The Fuertes family backyard was cultivated with loving hands where Filipino vegetables, persimmons, guavas, avocados and papayas can be found and shared with many.

Paula, along with her husband, Domingo, often invited friends and family to share in the bounty of their harvested vegetables and fruits. She loved to entertain family and friends by cooking vegetables from the garden, while sharing stories of her early life.