Ramona Peña
Biological Mother of Elisabeth Vera
Through AncestryDNA and 23andMe testing, we have confirmed that Elisabeth’s biological mother is Ramona Peña.
The oldest of eight children, Ramona was born at Ventura General Hospital and grew up in Somis, the Limoneria, and La Colonia in Oxnard, California. Her father was Librado “Lee” Peña, and her mother was Soledad “Chole” Savala.
Grandma Chole unfortunately passed away at the young age of 46. Nana Ramona went on to raise her two youngest siblings along with her four children, Michael (RIP), Violet, Jesus (RIP), and Rita. Throughout the years, she also opened her home and heart to many other family members and friends.
To support her family, Ramona worked at several places, including the Limoneria, Ortega Chilerias, Cielito Lindo, Ernie’s (Ernie Figueroa), and an insurance agency. She also worked as an interpreter for local attorneys. She frequented The Old Mexico on A Street, next to Pat Holden’s.
In 1972, her hard work paid off when she proudly purchased a home in Oxnard, California, all on her own.
Now retired, Ramona enjoys spending her days with family and friends and crocheting blankets for her loved ones.