Aurora Mercado Ledesma

Our beautiful mother Aurora Mercado Ledesma passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, at the age of 94. A cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, godmother, cousin, and friend, she dedicated her life to faith, family, and service.

Aurora was the second of three children of Teodulo and Camerina Mercado, born in Cucamonga, California. She grew up alongside her brothers Raul and Julian and their spouses Rose and Lucy. She was a graduate of Chaffey High School in Ontario, CA. Aurora was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith—she sang in the choir and played the organ at her parish, where her faith flourished.

She married the love of her life, Felipe “Phil” R. Ledesma in 1948, together they shared 76 beautiful years of marriage, raising eight children in Ontario, CA, creating a legacy anchored in love, generosity, and devotion.

Aurora was known for her warmth, her unwavering love for her children, and her legendary cooking, especially her homemade meals that nourished family, friends, and the community. Her kitchen was the heart of our home, a place of comfort, creativity, and love she always had a warm meal ready for anyone who visited.

She and Felipe were devoted members of both St. George and St. Anthony’s Catholic Churches often volunteering their time and sharing meals with those in need. Family gatherings and holidays were at the heart of her joy-filled with music, food, laughter, and many family traditions. Aurora also helped Felipe build the success of Phil’s Gourmet Meats and Delicatessen - their family business, adding her homemade recipes to the menu and drawing a loyal crowd.

She is survived by her eight children and their spouses: Philip and Judy, Susanna and ✝️William Summers, Richard and Kelly, Joseph and Gina, Gilbert and Gigi, Robert and Cynthia, Antoinette and Steven Bast, and Julie Ledesma. She leaves behind 57 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), 10 great-great-grandchildren (with two on the way), and a large, loving extended family of relatives and friends. Her beautiful family was her pride and joy.

Though our hearts are filled with sadness, we find comfort in knowing she now rests peacefully in the eternal embrace of heaven, joyfully reunited with Felipe the love of her life and her cherished family and friends who have gone before her.

When the sweet fragrance of gardenias fills the air, when the scent of her apple cake or cherished Mexican meals warms your soul, or when the laughter of a child lifts your spirit, may you feel her presence in your heart. These gentle moments are reminders of the love she so faithfully poured into this world—seeds of grace and devotion that continue to bloom in our hearts and bless our lives through God’s everlasting love.

We thank God for giving us such wonderful parents, humble examples of faith, hope, family and love, that will be instilled in the hearts of us all and our generations to come forever.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13