Andrea Puga

Andrea passed away on January 13, 2021 in the warmth of her home in Corona, from COVID-19. Andrea was born September 10, 1942 in Bethesda, MD to parents, Dr. Felipe Martinez and Marguerite Kurdle Martinez. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and Ursuline Academy in Bethesda, MD. In 1964, Andrea decided to move to Southern California where she eventually settled in Corona. She worked for Security Pacific Bank; where she met her future husband, Jerry Puga. They were married in 1970 and started their floor covering business. In 1978 they purchased property in Corona Mall and built a 5,000 SF building which was the beginning of a very successful business. Andrea received a B.A. degree in Interior Design and started her design business with Jerry; hence the name of the business "JERRYS CARPETS AND INTERIORS". At this point with business doing so well Andrea decided to give back to her city and began doing volunteer work. She joined the Women's Improvement Club and served as President in 1976. Jerry's Carpets and Interiors joined the Corona Chamber of Commerce and became very active in the community making many new friends and Andrea was elected to the Board of directors. Andrea and Jerry had a new home built in Corona in 1980 and she became aware of development in her area and started attending the Planning Commission Meetings. In 1983 she was appointed to join and served four years. One year she served as chairman. Still working full time and serving on the board at the Chamber of Commerce, Andrea was elected their President in 1988 and served one term. Other Organizations Andrea served were the Soroptimist International of Corona where she was president in 1983 and Corona/Riverside Council of Navy League of the United States where she was president in 1992. In 1991 Andrea was approached to run for Corona City Council and was elected in November 1992. She was elected mayor in 1996 and served on City Council until 2000. During her year as mayor the city of Corona celebrated its Centennial as a city. During that year many events took place including a commemorative road race around the city hosted by TV celebrity Huell Howser and a visit from the mayor of sister city Silkeborg Denmark. Andrea represented Corona on the Riverside Transit Agency for seven years, and was chairman in 1997. She served on the board of Directors of Western Riverside Council of Governments and was chairman from July 1997 to June 1998 Andrea also represented Corona on the Board of SoCal Regional Rail Authority (MetroLink) from 1999 to 2000 She attended Committee meetings for the League of California Cities and So Cal Association of Governments. After retiring from local Government, Andrea returned to local groups and was elected President of the Republican Women's Club of Corona/Norco in 2002. She remained active in the Women's Club of Corona and became President again in 2003-2005 Andrea and Jerry finally retired in 2008 after thirty six years managing a successful business. Jerry succumbed to cancer in 2018. Andrea followed the path to Heaven on January 13 after contracting COVID-19. Andrea had been quite ill for the past couple of years being cared for in her beloved home by her wonderful caregivers. Andrea is survived by her sister, Margo Dennis and husband, Rik Dennis; nieces, Wanda McKently and husband, Ken McKently, and family; Beth Perez and husband, Sergio and family; nephew, Michael Cregger and family. Also the Puga Family, sisters, Carmella and family; Helen Galvan and husband Fred and daughter, Dr. Olivia Galvan; brother, Margarito Puga and wife, Olivia and family. Also other nieces and nephews, her "Back East" cousins and her godson, Shaun Russell, the son she never had! We all miss her and thank The Lord that she is out of her misery and pain. A memorial service will be held at a later date when safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be sent to The Women's Improvement Club of Corona - Roof Fund P.O. Box 188 Corona, CA. 92878 in Andrea's name. An on-line Memory Guest Book will be available at https://www.thomasmillermortuary.com/obituary/andrea-puga/