Aurora Lumanlan Mendoza

Aurora Lumanlan Mendoza was born on Oct. 9, 1926, at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila to Marcos Feliciano Lumanlan and Catalina Enriquez Serrano of Porac, Pampanga. Growing up she took pleasure in academic pursuits. She received many high honors throughout her education. While working as an Administrative Assistant to the Civilian Personnel Officer at Camp O'Donnell, Aurora met the love of her life, who at the time was Master Sergeant Plutarco Mendoza, Sr., later promoted to Sergeant Major, was assigned to the 12th Infantry Division of the U.S, Army. Deeply devoted to one another, they married on Aug. 2, 1948, at the Clark Air Base Chapel. Together, they were blessed with 14 children: Greg, Plu Jr., Santi, Ruel, Francis, Don, Marivic, Willy, Teresa, Amelia, Jean, Dette, Alan and Joy.

Raising 14 children was no small feat. Aurora and Plu worked tirelessly, both serving the U.S. government at Clark Air Base in Angeles City for over 26 years. Aurora held the position of Office Supervisor at the Security Police Group before she was hired at the Base Commissary as an Office Services Manager, while Plu served as an Investigator with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI). To supplement their income, they opened a Real Estate Broker's Office, a gift shop and a furniture store, Mendoza's Gift Shop

and Customcraft Furniture, just outside of Clark Air Base. On Dec. 17, 1980, they immigrated to the U.S.. where Aurora later worked for the SD City Attorney's Office Criminal Division until her retirement in Oct. 1991.

Faith and service were central to Aurora and Plu's lives. They were actively involved in every parish they belonged to, serving as Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. Aurora also taught CCD at St. Mary's Church in Pensacola, FL and was the first Treasurer of the Fil-Am Association of St. Mary's Church in National City, CA. In 1984 alongside their longtime friend, Teddy Tafoya, Aurora and Plu helped form St. Mary's Charismatic Prayer Group. Their ministry extended to the sick, where they visited hospitals and nursing homes --bringing communion comfort, and prayer to patients and residents at various facilities such as Paradise Valley Hospital., Friendship Manor, Castle Manor, Villa Bonita Retirement Home, Birch-Patrick SNF, and Sharp Memorial Hospital CV.

After Plu's passing on Sept. 23, 2005, Aurora continued to live a full and meaningful life for nearly two more decades. She carried on with her faith and returned to her love for serving the Lord as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Rose of Lima church for a few years as long as she was able to. She passed away peacefully on Sept. 16, 2025, in Chula Vista, CA, at the. age of 98. Along with 10 of her living children, Aurora is survived by 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. She will be missed by her family and many who loved and cared for her.