Florencia Tablang

Florencia Quinto Montes Tablang

1926 – 2025

At the age of 99, FLORENCIA QUINTO MONTES TABLANG of Santa Maria, California, passed away on August 10, 2025. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy defined by her generous spirit and tireless work ethic.

Florencia was born on May 11, 1926, in Mapandan, Pangasinan, Philippine Islands to Eustaquio Quinto and Rosa Visperas. As a young woman, she was serenaded by Eduardo (Eddie) Montes, Sr. From that very first serenade, it was clear that they were made for each other. Eddie and Florence built a beautiful marriage that lasted for nearly 50 years, before Eddie's unexpected passing in 1995. They raised five children: Mercy, Edna (Jim), Elizabeth, Grace (Dave), and Edward Jr. (Torry). She adored spending time each of with her grandchildren: Chris (Karen), Eric (Nikki), Jeff (Jennie), Josh (Stacey), Tim (Sharon), Jon (Christina), Matt (Sarah), Jacob, and Emily, and later with great grandchildren (Asher, Carsyn, Molly, Angel, Zeke, Carmen, Bonnie Rae, Jackson, Emma, Katie, Brixen, Brenner, Maia, Caleb, Ava Grace, Laura, and Rio). She later married Rudolfo (Rudy) Tablang. Together they enjoyed a meaningful relationship and Rudy helped care for her through her final days.

Florence's life was a beautiful example of hard work, service, faith, and unwavering love for her family and community. Florence worked tirelessly her entire life to provide for her family, including work as a seamstress, cook, real estate sales, assembly line at Columbia Records, caregiver, gardener, and salesclerk. Florence built, ran, and owned Orchids Home, caring for many in our community and to include the care of Filipino WWII veterans. She was one of the first female minority ambulatory care homeowners in the Santa Maria Valley. She was a true example of going after what is it is that you dream and an example for all to follow. Even as a young teenager, she was a hard worker, helping her father to provide food for the family during WWII. Following her retirement, she enjoyed serving as an officer of the Santa Maria Senior Filipino and the Grover Beach Senior Filipino Club (where she served as president for over 8 years). She also volunteered for St. Mary's Assumption Church and the Filipino Community's Food Bank for the needy.

Florence's life is what her children follow today - her stories, her cooking, her work ethic, her commitment to community, as well as many Filipino traditions. We love you, Mom. You will be dearly missed. We are thankful for all that you have taught us. Our mom always encouraged each of us to pursue our dreams and passions, and to always be thankful. Her life was exemplary, and the epitome of a life well lived.

The family would like to extend their immeasurable gratitude to Dignity Hospice Nurse (Tawna) and RN/ Magaly, the fantastic hospice team, cousins: Rhoda and Edwin, and to the caregivers (Joni, Naty, Imelda, and Clarita) who provided exceptional companionship and care to Florence in her final days.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 10:00 am with a Rosary beginning at 11:00am at Dudley Hoffman Mortuary 1003 East Stowell Road, Santa Maria California. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 am at St. Louis de Montfort Church (1190 East Clark Avenue, Santa Maria). Interment will follow at the Santa Maria District Cemetery (in front of the Cemetery Office).

To celebrate Florence's life, please join us following her internment at the Golden Corral (her favorite eatery) (2104 S Bradley Road) on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Please be sure to wear bright colored clothing or a Barong Tagalog. In lieu of flowers, donations to her memory may be made to the Montes Family Trust Scholarship Fund at Santa Maria High School or to St. Mary's Assumption Church. Alternatively, simply carry her tradition forward by being kind to even a stranger sometime.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.