Fortunata R. Robles Mendoza

Born October 14, 1922 in San Jose, Batangas, Philippines, Fortunata was the daughter of Evaristo & Maxima Robles. Although she had aspirations to be a nurse, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and worked as a teacher at San Jose Elementary School in her hometown until her retirement. In her spare time between teaching and raising a family, she also was a Girl Scout leader. In the early 80’s, Fortunata immigrated to San Diego, California where she worked at the Linda Vista Day Care Center.

In the Philippines, Fortunata was a devotee to St. Joseph, Patron Saint of the Holy Family, and to the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Here in San Diego, she belonged to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, where she attended mass as well as joyfully took part in their parish bible study group. Some of her favorite hobbies included playing volleyball, cooking (ginger shrimp, chicken dinuguan, and sauteed vegetables were some of her specialties now being cooked by Velen, Dulcie and Jun), gardening, sewing, reading, and traveling (Australia, Gibraltar, Israel, Italy twice, Spain.) Aside from these hobbies, she loved the arts and seeing her children involved in folkloric cultural events. She sent Letty, Velen, Dulcie and Jun to piano lessons, and when Letty and Velen went to Manila for college, Jun and Dulcie were sent to learn the banduria musical instrument. Her youngest son Rogel was born nine (9) years after Jun.

Rogel dedicated a lifetime of company and caring to parents Emiliano and Fortunata right after retiring from the Navy at age 41. Her legacy and passion for gardening, flower arrangement, color harmonization and cuisine are in Rogel.

Fortunata loved to get the family together, pray the rosary, and sing hymns, followed by gathering for food, karaoke, and lots of laughter. Her motto was always to “live within your means” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. She will be remembered for her witty, caring personality and for being calm and levelheaded during times of crisis.

The family of the late Fortunata Robles Mendoza, would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the Elizabeth Hospice for taking good care of her in her home since February 2015.

Thank you to all the relatives and friends for their love, prayers, and support, as well as for the flowers, cards, letters and messages of sympathy.

Her life’s journey is over, our love and faith has her safely home in the arms of the Lord.