Housekeeper retires after 65 years at Best Western Plus Black Oak
-A message from Best Western Plus Black Oak-
Six decades of service helped define comfort and care
– On March 31, 2026, the Best Western Plus Black Oak in Paso Robles bids farewell to a true legend. After an extraordinary 65 years of dedicated service, Executive Housekeeper Ramona Hernandez clocks out for the final time—marking the end of an era for both the hotel and the Masia family, who have owned and operated the property since its founding.
Ramona’s journey began in the spring of 1961, when she joined Hugh Black, Shirley, and Mario Masia to help open what was then known as the Black Oak Motor Lodge. The original property was located at 1215 Ysabel Avenue, the current site of the Adelaide Inn. The motel’s first guest arrived unexpectedly on July 19, 1961, when a patron from the neighboring Black Oak Restaurant needed a cool place to recover from heatstroke. That serendipitous moment marked the beginning of a business venture that would evolve alongside Highway 101 and the Paso Robles community.
The Best Western affiliation was added later that same year, with official membership recognized in January 1962. Ramona has been an integral part of the housekeeping department from the beginning—helping to define the property’s reputation for cleanliness, comfort, and care.
Through the decades, Ramona’s meticulous attention to detail and tireless work ethic have earned the department and hotel numerous awards. Her influence extended far beyond daily operations; she trained generations of employees and instilled in them the same pride and precision that became her hallmark. Even after the passing of long-time owner Shirley Masia in 2020, Ramona continued to uphold the family’s founding mission: clean, comfortable rooms where everything works just as it should.
Her dedication to the job was legendary. While others turned in their keys at the end of each day, Ramona insisted on taking hers home—a habit born from years of responding to late checkouts and ensuring every guest had a spotless, welcoming room, especially during the busy fair season.
Ramona’s granddaughter, Melanie Blankenship, shared a heartfelt tribute capturing what her grandmother and the Masia family meant to one another:
“They gave my grandmother an opportunity that turned into a lifetime. Not just a job but a place to belong, to grow, to build something meaningful. And through that opportunity, they gave all of us something too—a foundation, a sense of stability, and a place that became who we are. Her dedication to that business shaped our own work ethic: no shortcuts, no excuses, just pride in doing things right.”
When asked why she continues to work after so many years, Ramona’s answer remains simple and sincere:
“Because this is my family. And the doctor says to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Angela McKee, General Manager of the Best Western Plus Black Oak and Ramona’s colleague of 35 years, reflected on her enduring impact:
“To this day, she can still turn a room from top to bottom—maybe not quite as fast as before, but she’d beat me any day. Her positive attitude and genuine care for the business and her team have set a standard for all of us. Many of the housekeepers she’s trained have been here 25 years or more.”
McKee fondly recalled sharing the stage with Ramona in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the 2024 Best Western Convention, where they introduced the President and CEO of Best Western International and accepted the chain’s highest honor—the M.K. Guertin Award—an achievement in which the housekeeping department played a vital role under Ramona’s leadership.
As Ramona prepares to close this incredible chapter, her presence will be profoundly missed. Her smile, her daily greetings, and her unwavering standards have shaped the spirit of hospitality that defines the Best Western Plus Black Oak.
Her legacy will remain woven into every perfectly made bed and every guest’s comfortable stay—a lasting reminder that pride in hard work never goes out of style.
