Loretta Flores Abella

Loretta was born on August 26, 1924 in the municipality of San Miguel, province of Bulacan, in the Philippines. She was the third child in a family of six, of the late Jose Flores, Sr. and Sofia Polintan. She was finishing high school at the Araullo High School in Manila, Philippines when World War II hit on December 8, 1941.

With a secretarial course earned during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Loretta joined The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd. in Manila shortly after the war in 1946 as Secretary to one of the department managers. It was there where she met her future husband, Gene N. Abella, an aspiring young clerk from another department who went to night school studying law. This friendship eventually blossomed into a romance that culminated into their exchanging of married vows on June 7, 1949 in Tondo, Manila. In 2014, Loretta and Gene celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

During their years of married life, many highpoints filled their lives. Gene finished law school and passed the bar in 1951, and went on to have a successful career at Insular Life, eventually retiring in 1984 as a Senior-Vice President. Loretta over the years would also involve herself in a variety of endeavors, starting a small piano business for example, while engaging in her favorite hobbies, such as painting and sewing. But for all the highpoints, it is their six children, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren and in-laws whom Loretta and Gene held dearest in their lives. They were always happiest whenever they were together with them during countless family gatherings and memorable vacations. So it was only proper that Loretta breathed her last surrounded by her loving family.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Gene, six children, namely, Nilda Agnes, widow of the late Dr. Carlo Abellera; Lilli Nanette, married to Samuel Castillo; Norman Dennis; Ginna Marisse, married to Patricio Collantes, Jr.; Gene Norris, married to Lenicia Castillo; and Lizza Charisse, eight grandchildren, namely, Pia Lizza now married to Renato Angeles, Jr; Paolo Carlo married to Micah Soleta; Ria Lauren; and Marco Angelo, all surnamed Abellera; Norman Francis Abella; Vince Patrick Collantes; Gian Andre and Tristen Anton Abella, and two great grandchildren, Raphael Jack and Mina Isabelle Angeles. Loretta is also survived by her only remaining sister, Lina Ricardo.

Prepared by Gene N. Abella