Atanasia E. Pastrana

Atanasia (Nacing) Escalona Pastrana was the ninth of ten children born May 1, 1921 to Tereso and Maria Esperanza Motus in Kalibo, Aklan the Philippines. She attended the Philippine Women’s University in Manila where she majored in Home Economics and minored in English. In 1946 she met Joe C. Escalona, and they married June 12, 1947. In September 1947 they journeyed to the United States traveling by boat and entered through San Francisco. Delano became their home December 1947. Together they had five children, Joe Jr, Linda, Helena, Melanie and Gail and throughout the years opened their home to many relatives. She was widowed in 1976, and then she married Isidro T. Pastrana June 16 1979.

Nacing was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She worked to form the Filipino Community Hall, now known as the Filipino Community Cultural Center, and the Filipino Women’s Club. She opened and operated Campus Debs, a women’s dress shop from 1962-1974. She was instrumental in developing the Delano Sister City program. She served on the Harvest Holidays board of directors, worked for Assemblyman Gordon Duffy, and was honored as the Delano Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year and Grand Marshal of Philippine Weekend in 2003.

Nacing was known for her sense of good taste and style. Most importantly she is known for her kindness and warm personality. She had a big heart and loved life. She was quite a GRAND lady.

Nacing was preceded in death by her husband Joe in 1976, her son Joe Jr in 1994, and her husband Isidro in 1991. She is survived by her daughters Linda Escalona of Laguna Niguel CA, Helena (Clyde) Kodani of Kapaa Kauai HI, Melanie (Dennis) Stacy of Salinas CA, and Gail Escalona of Henderson NV; her brother Teodoro T. Motus of the Philippines, her sister Vicenta Pastrana of the Philippines, fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.

Her family wishes to thank everyone at Delano District Skilled Nursing Facility, Optimal Hospice Care of Bakersfield, and Dr. Arturo Abalos for their care and professional services.