PAULA MALIGLIG ELLIS

Paula Angelica Maliglig Ellis, the second eldest child of Napoleon and Katherine Maliglig, was

born on February 9, 1935 in Los Angeles, California. At the age of two she moved with her

family to the Philippines, the country of her father, and was raised in Bacolod City, Negros,

along with her other eleven siblings. Though their life there was marked by the horrors of the

Second World War, its aftermath and the struggles involved in raising a large family in a poverty

stricken country, it was also one of shared closeness. Paula earned a degree in accounting from

West Negros University and after working for a few years, emigrated back to the United States

with two of her sisters, Dorothy and Elizabeth aboard an ocean liner bound for California.

They came to El Monte where their Uncle Bill, the abbot of a Benedictine monastery, had

established a Benedictine community. Through him Paula met his dear friend and fellow monk,

Brother Richard. This same monk would become her husband when the monastery disbanded

and the brothers were dispensed of their vows. They were married on April 23, 1962 and moved

to the Antelope Valley soon after.

Paula had seven children, Katherine, Jessie, Angelica, Marilyn, Richard, Bennett and Pauline.

She worked hard to provide for their needs and was committed to giving them an excellent

Catholic education and raising them as faithful Catholics.

The printing business once operated by the monks was taken over by Paula and Rick when

they moved to Lancaster and it eventually became the largest and most successful one in the

area. Paula, a talented artist and graphic designer, worked in typesetting, layout and design and

in many other areas of the business. They worked side by side daily for their entire married life,

inseparable until the day Richard died. They also established a Catholic book and gift store to

foster devotion and knowledge of the faith and this became Paula’s focus and connection to the

community in the later years of her life.

Paula was very proud of her many grandchildren, 48 in all, and loved indulging them. Grandma

always had a kind word coupled with a little treat for any of them. The birth of a great grandchild

brought her tremendous joy. She lived to see great-grandchild number 39 born this year with

more to follow – a fruitful legacy of a rich life.

Paula was hospitalized June 16 after suffering a severe stroke. Over the next few days she was

lovingly attended by six of her children and received many visitors. She died peacefully on June

19 as those near her prayed, commending her soul to God and asking Richard to come with

Christ to meet her. Rest in peace, Mama.