Fullen was born on Oct. 26, 1916 to Camerina and Salvador Padilla in Bisbee, Arizona. Camerina moved her daughter, (Rae) Fullen, and her son, Sal, to San Pedro in 1918 to join other family members after the death of her husband.
Fullen lived in San Pedro, where she married Mehl Gabelich, and had her two children, Gary and Judy. She moved her family to the Bixby Knolls neighborhood in 1948 and remained in that area for the rest of her life.
She worked for many years as manager of CalBowl until she retired in 1981. After her retirement, she traveled the world with her second husband, Paul Fullen. They shared their love of adventure and travel and were able to see much of the globe together, always returning with good stories.
Fullen was a member of the Children’s Benefit League of Long Beach, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of friendship and purpose, and she lived her last four years at Bixby Knolls Towers, where she made many new friends and enjoyed her independence, Gabelich said.
“Rae was dedicated to her children, Gary and Judy, and her grandchildren, Bob Hanna, Robin Emmingham and Guy Gabelich,” said the councilmember. “She was grateful to have the experience of having two great-grandchildren, Danielle and Bryce Hanna, who always put a smile on her face.”
Fullen is survived by: her daughter-in-law, Rae Gabelich; her grandson, Bob Hanna and his wife Caryn; her granddaughter, Robin Emmingham and her husband, Terry; grandson Guy Gabelich; and her great-grandchildren, Danielle and Bryce Hanna.
“A lady of style and grace, strength and wisdom,” said Gabelich. “She will be missed.”
Services will be held at Forest Lawn in Long Beach, on Saturday, Nov. 12 at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a tax-deductible donation in Fullen’s memory to the Casa de Amma Scholarship Fund (assisted living for learning-disabled young adults), 27231 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano, 92675. Visit casadeamma.org.
