Purificacion Navalle Figuracion

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Purificacion (Purita) Navalle Figuracion

February 2, 1932 - April 28, 2017

Purita was born February 2, 1932 to Eleuteria Bulalacao and Sabino Navalle in Nabua, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. She was the youngest of their five children – Dominador, Dolores (Lita), Herbert, and Lilia.

Purita had a happy childhood with her loving father, a teacher (and businessman during WWII) and mother (a seamstress). Her parents loved to have parties with friends and her mother enjoyed celebrating each birthday with her children. Purita and her brother Herbert were often called upon to sing and dance at these parties. Purita lost her mother during WWII, but Purita felt grateful for the years she had with her mom. Her father had a major impact on her life, working with his children at the family business, and requiring them to read at home despite schools being closed during the war. Purita fondly remembered her father for being ahead of his time and letting her make her own very important decisions particularly when it came to suitors and marriage.

Purita finished secondary school at Nabua High School, where her favorite course was biology. She earned her degree at Far Eastern University in Education, with a P.E. major and a Home Economics minor. Purita’s work with kids began very early, as one of her favorite high school activities included coaching folk dance teams for regional competitions. Her dad would bring elementary school dancers from the barrio to Purita for the weekend and she would train them for competition and helped them win.

After she finished college, she formally began her teaching career at a private school in Larap, Camarines Norte. Later, Purita was hired as a P.E. teacher at Holy Ghost College -- a private Catholic school in Manila -- while taking summer courses at the Philippine Normal College. Purita was devoted to God and had considered becoming a nun. However, Luis began courting Purita in 1957, taking her to dinner, church, movies, and visiting relatives. He sweetly persevered and they were happily married on August 9, 1958, at Santa Cruz Church by Father Donald Jette.

Purita and Luis began their life together as a Navy couple in the Philippines where they had their first two children, Dimpna and Mercy. Dulce was born while stationed in Japan. Almost a year later, the family moved to Marietta GA, where Amy was born, followed by Luis, Jr. The family relocated to Norfolk, VA, Long Beach, CA, and finally Pacific Beach, WA, before Luis, Sr. retired on September 30, 1975.

Throughout her husband’s Navy career, Purita was actively involved with the Navy Wives’ Club, always willing to take on leadership roles to strengthen and align the club’s activities with its mission, which included supporting each other and those in need while their spouses were deployed away from home. In the summer of 1973, Purita was selected to represent the Pacific Beach chapter at the club’s conference in Yokohama Japan, where she was voted Most Congenial.

When Purita’s husband retired from the Navy, the family moved to San Diego. She began working with UCSD Extension, Agriculture, providing education about nutrition and produce preservation methods.

Purita earned her early childhood teaching credential from the University of San Diego. On September 14, 1977, she began teaching early childhood, pre-K at La-Mesa Spring Valley School District for 31 years, “retiring” June 21, 2008. She continued substitute teaching through March 2017. Purita was an early adopter and advocate of High Scope learning – even before she knew it was an established curriculum and before it was adopted by the district. She was also an early childhood mentor teacher, sharing her passion and knowledge with student teachers and instructional aides; she was always eager to gain knowledge and share her learning with others. Purita firmly believed in children discovering for themselves using their 5 senses, with the teacher providing support to extend each child’s learning experience.

A member of the Bicol Club of San Diego since 1975 (a social, cultural, charitable organization for those native to her home province in the Philippines), Purita was very active from the very beginning. She held several leadership positions, including President from 1985-1986, 1986-1987 and 2014-2015. She served as advisor to the President and on the Board of Directors. Purita was on steering committees for all major anniversary events, and regularly chaired St. Vincent DePaul Feed the Homeless Service (for over 25 years) and the Spring Raffle. Purita was very talented and sang in the club choir and Harana groups; she was often the entertainment chairperson for many events.

Purita’s greatest impact was on the young people of the club--she taught four generations of children to love singing, dancing and movement. Purita energetically prepared them for annual Christmas party performances, for fiesta, and other entertainment events. If it had anything to do with young people, Purita was there. She promoted Filipino culture and values, creativity, and joy. She was a fixture at the Annual Scholastic Achievement Awards Luncheons, College and Career Days, youth retreats and conferences. Purita was everyone’s cheerleader, and firmly believed that “her kids” could reach their highest potential.

Purita was the first co-chairperson of San Diego’s Penafrancia Outdoor Celebration in 1976, was on the Penafrancia Children’s Program development team (1995), past executive team member of Pagiribang Bikolnon (PB), active participant in PBs Pagsungko ni Ina visitation program, and current leader of PB

Litcom Flower Ministry. She supported many cultural organizations, serving as board of director for Samahan Cultural and Dance Company, and the Kalasugan Health Initiative.

Purita enjoyed starting her day with mass at St. John’s, followed by classes with her Zumba, Silver Sneakers, and yoga friends. She so loved being with her family, and cooking tasty, healthy food with her husband. Purita cherished life, trusted God, and gave her time, attention, and love every day by humbly helping others. She was surrounded by her family and friends throughout and at the end of her well-lived life.

Purita is survived by her loving husband, Luis, Sr., five children Dimpna (Allen Borsky), Mercy (Bob Forde), Dulce (Michael Hollon), Amy (David Hoffman), and Luis, Jr. (Lucy Figuracion). Ten beautiful “grandbabies,” Natalie Borsky, Samantha and Katrina Forde, Analisa, Lovelyn and Mali Hollon, Jessica and Isabelle Hoffman, Spencer and Phoebe Figuracion and four granddogs, Finn and Lily Borsky, Gary Forde and Chloe Figuracion.