Ernestine Lisa Lona

Ernestine Lisa Lona was Born in Bellflower California March 31,1974 . She was called home by our heavenly father July 9,2020 at her home in Long Beach California after her long battle with Carcinoid Cancer.
"Ern" or "Ernie" to her friends and family was known for her compassion, passion, fearless, and selfless ways . She was an active volunteer in the community offering her time and talent to various organizations: the marine mammal center of San Pedro, the Long Beach animal Care Services, the german shepard rescue of orange county, and Friends of the LA River clean up and the list continues... It was fair to say at times that she was a voice for the immoral treatment of animals.
Her passion led her to numerous protests, outreach events, and educating friends and family.

An avid music lover from a very young age, she learned to play the piano by ear, not by reading music she just had a talent and way about her that really knew what good music was. If you ever would visit her place she would be "jazzin it out" she would say. If you were taking a drive, maybe a little salsa and If you really wanted to put her in a good mood then it was U2 all the way! She followed the band everywhere and everywhere includes worldwide. The love of their music and the way it would make her feel , it took her to another place. A place where she wanted to stay forever.

Ern was a Nomad, a butterfly, a kite, always on the move . She embraced change meeting new people, making new friends , exploring everything out there. She had a ravenous curiosity about her . She truly lived her life as if it were her last day. If she ever invited you out for one of her expeditions you better be prepared because you always were in for a treat, a great endeavor and if you declined, her reply would be "ok you snooze you lose". If Ern invited you somewhere you were definitely getting an E ticket.

She loved to travel and fell in love with Europe, Italy in particular. Upon , returning to the states Ern developed a sense of self and a need to live a simple life. Traveling abroad had changed her perspective on life and the need to slow down and look around and see all things around her . She developed a strong desire to see more of europe, so that she did . She had a tutor teach her to speak Italian, and headed back out to Italy, and yes she did this alone. Iasked Ern if she would like a traveling partner once; her reply was no, it only slows me down waiting on them. Ern was a always on the go trying so hard to see it all.

Finding her niche in life was always there but came later in life. In her young adulthood, she attended Academy of Art University in San Francisco, then returned to southern California and ended up in the advertisement industry . She landed at the LA Times, while at the The Times for over a decade, she then realized she would like to pursue her true chosen career, photography, this began her new endeavor and business where she started to make a dent in the business and a name for herself. She was on the yellow brick road.

Ern had a quick and witty sense of humor, loved practical jokes and would be the first one to laugh at you with the most cheerful laugh, coming from deep within , you ended laughing at her laugh. She was a giver in the truest sense. She gave from her heart you could feel it, her loyalty was genuine, no games straightforward truth with Ern. She had a smile that was real ,not forced truly real, contagious and inviting . She was such a lover of life, and role model for so many of us. She will be missed in this world, in heaven is where she belongs.

Ern is survived by her mother; Marie Ramona Lona, sister ;Tina Marie Schachter, sister; Terrie Lona-Lee , niece; Sabrina Lisa Vasquez, nephew ; Cheyne Ryan Lee, nephew ; Chase Thomas Lee, and great niece ;Stevie Grace Rosales AKA "nutter . "Hey girl"

In lieu of flowers or monetary contributions. Please make a donation to one of the following charities, rescues or foundations in Ernestine's honor .She always did the right thing first.

Marine Mammal Care Center San Pedro (www.marinemammalcare.org)
Animal Defenders International (www.ad- international.org)
World Wildlife Fund (www.worldwildlifefund.org)
Free Wheelchair Mission (www.freewheelchairmission.org)
International Bird Rescue San Pedro (www.bird- rescue.org)
Greenpeace (www.greenpeace.org) Wounded Warrior (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)
Humane Society of United States (www.humanesociety.org)
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (www.peta.org)


Please come and join us , together as one , a simple way to express our love, and friendship for the loss of a much loved daughter, sister , auntie , friend , and exceptional human being.

services are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.