Norma Mene Pilapil

July 24, 1937 - May 27, 2018

Norma Velarde Mene was born in July 1937 in Santa Cruz Zambales, Philippines. She was 80 years old when she passed away. She is the 4th children of Mercedes Guerrero Velarde and Jose Ebuen Mene. Norma has 7 siblings - Candelaria is the eldest child followed by Ben, German, Norma, Sam, Cora, Dave, and Carlos. Of those 8 siblings, 5 has already passed away including Norma and survive by Candelaria, Cora, and Carlos.

Norma was a mother of three daughters - Pilar “Babylyn”, Maria Teresa, and Liza. Unfortunately, two of her daughter, Teresa was just a toddler when she passed away and Pilar was only 41 when she passed away with cancer in 2013. I’m sure it was hard for mom to juggle the demand of us all but she never complained nor did she turn anyone away - be it family, friends, or local faces wanting to stop by for a cup of coffee, a chat, or a home cooked meal.

When Pilar passed away in 2013, it was a difficult time for mom and dad so they went back to the Philippines. They started all over again - new house, new routine but the familiar faces and old neighborhood gave my parents comfort. She was happy that she could start her love of gardening again as she was unable to do so when they migrated to the US in 1990’s.

My mom grew up in a simple house in Zambales with her family who were farmers. Eventually my mom traveled in Manila where she met my dad. They were married in 1968 and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past June 2018 just a few days before she passed away.

She was a warm and compassionate person. While living in Manila she was working as an office assistant. This career gave my mom an opportunity to help her siblings with their education.

My mom was brought up with traditional values and learned the skill that a woman of her era should - cooking, sewing, and cleaning. She was a homemaker for many years and she loved to cook. Cooking is where she show her love. For mom, cooking equates to taking care of others. Though my family has little money we were always well fed and well dressed. We all know mom is frugal and modest.

Mom has many friends of all ages. She met so many people in the 15 years that she worked at Walmart, and her friends loves her too. During her recent visit here in the US, the day before she passed away, she made plans to visit her friends. Sadly, she was only able to see a few of them. She felt sad as she would have loved to see them again and chat with all of them.

She was a vibrant soul and full of joy. She was excited when she heard the news that I was pregnant and she will be a grandmother for the first time. When people in her town learned the news of her passing, they shared their memories with me. I was told that she carried her granddaughters photo with her and shared the photo wherever she went. She was a proud Lola and loved her granddaughter so much.

Norma is survived by her husband Delfin “Jun” Pilapil, daughter Liza, son-in-law Nick, and Granddaughter Sara.

It is a great privilege to write this eulogy to express the sadness we all share.

Mom, thank you for everything you’ve given us - the warmth we shared during your precious time on earth.

We love and miss you dearly. May you rest in peace.