Ella was born on February 24, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was raised in Kīlauea on the island of Kauai. She graduated from Kapaʻa High School. She met and married Calvin Lai Sr. on June 10, 1967.
Ella worked for Aloha Airlines Credit Union and was an entrepreneur who co-owned several businesses with her husband, including Lai’s Tuff Coat Rust Proofing, Lai’s Hawaiian Cookies, Kona Treasures to Go, and Pop’s Spearfishing.
Ella had a passion for sunsets at the beach, crafts, fishing, animals, and spending time with family.
Services will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetery in Henderson, Nevada.
Ella is preceded in Death By Mother: Rosalia Langatad Rubio, Father: Caesar Rubio, Brother: Michael Rubio.
She is survived By Husband: Calvin Lai Sr., Son: Calvin Lai Jr., Daughter: Jowella Lai-Hull, Son-in-law: James M. Hull, Sister: Shirley Machado. Grandchildren, Chelsielyn Ferido, Aaron Ferido, Elijah Lai, Camille Elizabeth Jean Lai. Great-grandchildren, Liam Ferido, Blake Ferido, and Kawena Lai.
