Purificacion Parrocha Gonzales

Purificacion Parrocha Gonzales was born on February 3, 1933 at home in the little town of Tay-ac in the countryside of Rosario, La Union in the Philippines to Clemente and Antonia Parrocha. She was raised in Tay-ac with her four brothers, Pedro, Marcelo, Antonio, and Rodolfo; and her five sisters, Minidora, Paulina, Fely, Isabel, and Irene. Growing up, her siblings were her best friends, and even at that young age she understood the true value of family. Purificacion was a child during World War II. She would tell stories about how she used to bring food and fruits in a basket, crossing the river and climbing a mountain to her older brothers and father who were hiding in the mountain from the Japanese soldiers. Through that experience, she learned to be compassionate, hardworking, and to truly appreciate the little things in life.

During WWII and the liberation, American teachers and even soldiers would come to their town or barrio and teach them to read, write, and speak English. They'd also teach them to play a sport called softball. Purificacion was an active child who loved playing in the woods and being outdoors. In school, Purificacion had many talents. She was intelligent and had an entrepreneurial mind. She was also a seamstress and dressmaker, learning these skills through attending a vocational dressmaking course.

On January 28, 1954, Purificacion exchanged wedding vows with Cecilio Joves Gonzales, Sr. at Rosario Catholic Church of Rosario, La Union. Together they were blessed with eight children, Letty Norma, Manuelito, Roseminda, Rancho, Shirley, Rafael, Donna, and Cecilio Jr. Her children were Purificacion’s closest friends. She had the purest love for all of her children and was absolutely devoted to being the best mother she could be for them. She worked hard to make sure that her children grew with ambition and dreams, and that they were the very best people they could be. She was later blessed with ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren whom she loved with all of her heart.

In her work life, she was a dressmaker for a time, and she would alter clothes for her family and do alterations for others for a bit of extra income. Purificacion was also an entrepreneur who had her own financing business. Whenever she wasn’t working, Purificacion liked singing, beading, puzzle solving, bingo, coloring, and watching Filipinovelas. Though she was never one for sports, she did love watching the Super Bowl after she came to America, which most of the time would fall on her birthday.

Religion and faith were important to Purificacion. She held dear the faith and values she derived from her beliefs. She was a member of the Roman Catholic church since birth. After moving to Las Vegas, the family joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Christ the King. She was a good disciple of God and prayed the Rosary often. Even after her dementia left her declining, she continued to pray. Though she would forget some prayers, her son reminded her that God knew what she was trying to pray to Him. Purificacion was a traditional woman with conservative values and was definitely Republican.

Whenever she got the chance, Purificacion loved her hometown in the Philippines where she spent her childhood. Her son, Cecilio Jr., had built a vacation home in the rural countryside in her hometown, Philippines. For a number of years, Purificacion lived there and they shared good quality living.

Purificacion relocated to the United States and had lived in Miami, Yuba City, San Diego, and Las Vegas. She found new pleasure in spending quality time with her children and grandchildren from out of state as they regularly visited her. Throughout her later years, Purificacion attended an adult care called "Horizon" where she gained a lot of friends. She was involved in many activities there, such as dancing, singing, and even playing Bingo. She supported these activities and how they helped the other seniors.

Purificacion passed away on February 6, 2022 at Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas. She is survived by her children, Letty Norma Gonzales, Roseminda Gonzales, Rancho Gonzales, Shirley Gonzales-Fronda, Rafael Gonzales, Donna Gonzales-Manaligod, and Cecilio Gonzales, Jr.; her ten grandchildren, Leslie, Richard, Christian, Kenneth, Chanelle, Daniel, Josh, Darren, Aaron, and Derek; three great-grandchildren, Chloe, Ethan, and Autumn; and her in-laws. Purificacion will be cremated and will come home with her son, Cecilio Jr. He plans to take her wherever he travels, especially the places he dreamt of visiting with her but was unable to because of her condition such as the Holy Land and Rome. Cecilio, Jr wishes that he could fulfill that dream one day.

Purificacion was a beloved woman throughout her life. Her children will forever cherish the love of their mother and she will always be in their hearts and minds every second of their lives. She was the best gift that God had given them. Purificacion was a devoted mama, grandma, sister, and friend, and she will be deeply missed.