Lola passed away on December 22, 2023 surrounded by all those that loved her. Born on May 04, 1930 in Claveria, Lola was the second youngest of nine children. She eventually moved to Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, where she met her husband, Demetrio Tabut and raised her children Efren and Themia. Lola told her grandchildren fascinating stories of her time growing up under the Japanese occupation during World War II. What was clear when she lived through that was her dream to go to America for a better life and become a U.S. citizen.

Lola emigrated to the United States in September 1986 to help care for her three grandchildren, Trisha, Rudy, and Pamela in Manteca, California. Even though she was in the States, she still kept in touch with her son Efren and his family. After meeting the 10-year residency required for naturalization, she and her son-in-law Rodolfo studied for the citizenship exam by taking classes offered at the local adult education school. Lola's dream came true when she was sworn in at a stadium in Sacramento and finally became a U.S. citizen on July 3, 1996. She kept a token of that major milestone, which was a mini American flag, and wrote the date she became a citizen. Lola kept that flag on her dresser since. 

In September 2018, she along with her daughter Themia and son-in-law Rodolfo moved to Richmond, California to be closer to their growing family who resided in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lola was stoked to be closer to not only her granddaughters, Dhemy, Trisha, Rudy, and Pamela, but her seven great-grandchildren - Marco, Robyn, Adira, Sophie, Ariella, Theodore, and Santiago. She loved it so much when her granddaughters and great-grandchildren visited her.  Celebrating the holidays in Richmond every year was something she certainly looked forward to.

Lola's had a rough childhood and grew to be tough, resourceful, and yes, stubborn.  Towards the end she wasn't easy either. But we credit her for the people we have become today. We will miss her radio blaring at odd hours in the night, her word searches, her sweet tooth, and especially her tough, independent spirit.

We want to thank Kaiser Richmond for the staff's compassion and care for Lola before she passed.

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