On Saturday, July 18, 2015 our lives were forever changed with the passing of Hermandina (Mandy) Ruelas, the true heart of our family. 

Mandy was born on August 16, 1925 in Port Hueneme to Jessie and Dalio Sanders where she was raised with her older siblings Amelia, Cecilia, Ben, Phillip, Eleanor, and Magdelena. She attended local schools, married, and resided for many years in Oxnard raising a family, teaching them values, revealing her kindness and compassion for others. She put everyone ahead of herself in so many ways. 

In later years, these values were evident in her job of 12 years as a certified nurse’s assistant (CNA) at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. She also devoted much of her time as an Auxiliary volunteer at St. John's Hospital. She received much patient gratitude and her dedication was recognized when she was awarded Volunteer of the Quarter, creating many sincere and lasting friendships through her humor and warmth.

Her heart was wherever her family was and she resided with her son Donald in San Pedro, CA. She always found the good in people and was the most giving, sincere, and courageous wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend you could ever ask for. She loved animals, helped others without question, and loved unconditionally. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and her daughter MaryLou Renshaw. ?Those left to carry her legacy are her children, Vivian Ruelas and William (Evita) Ruelas of Oxnard, Zeke (Rita) Ruelas of Camarillo, Ronald (Dina) Ruelas of Lomita and Donald Ruelas of San Pedro; her grandchildren: Susan, Deborah, Billy, Rachel, Steven, Jolene, Jacque, Zeke III, Lenna, “B”, Tommy, Ronnie, Richard, and Robyn;?and ?great-grandchildren: Savion, Nicholas, Katie, Mandy, Macayla, Tyler, Marissa, Courtney, and Robert. She will be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews. We all feel extremely blessed for having been loved and inspired by her.