Paula Ponce Sanchez

June 18, 1927 - February 22, 2024

Downey, California – It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Paula Ponce at the age of 96.

Paula was born in Tlajamulco, Mexico to Vicenta and Domingo Sanchez. She was the fourth of eighteen children.

She joined her sister in Los Angeles, California in her early 20’s and married Juan M. Ponce. Paula had six children, Sandra (Cliff) Starn, Mary (Dave) Ramsey, Raymond (Karen) Ponce, Jack (Deana) Ponce, Abraham (Melody) Ponce and Cathy (Stephen) Kustra.

Paula was instrumental in building a real estate portfolio with her husband. She worked alongside him while raising her six children. Paula enjoyed sewing, painting, flower arranging and her many pets. She had a gift for cooking and was well known for her famous salsa. She was a good listener, gave great advice to family and friends, had a wicked sense of humor, and people gravitated to her for counsel and family stories. Paula will be greatly missed by all of us who dearly loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents and eleven brothers and sisters. She is survived by six siblings, twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her family would like to express sincere gratitude to her caregivers, Arcelia, Angie, Maria and Josefina who were angels with their compassion and care.

A mass will be held at 11am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey on March 21st.