Norma was born in San Diego, California, on April 2nd, 1939, to parents Maria Mansilla Moreno Valverde and Jose Valverde. She was raised in San Diego, graduated from The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, and attended San Diego State University.
After her schooling, Norma took a job with the U.S. government along with her best friend Lydia Ulloa, both traveling to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of State. Norma began a series of postings to Columbia, Honduras, and then to Spain, where she met Jack, "the love of her life". They were married on the famous Rock of Gibraltar. Over the following decades, their careers took them to Uruguay, Paraguay, Nicaragua, and Suriname, where they made lifelong friends, as well as significant contributions to the Foreign Service and diplomatic community.
Notably, one of their assignments was in Managua, Nicaragua, where Jack was the Charge' de Affairs during a period of political turmoil. Jack and Norma both contributed greatly in maintaining positive relations between the United States and Nicaragua at that time. During her husband's term as Ambassador to Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), Norma handled their social and political calendars, acting the role of gracious host, all while continuing her own career with the Foreign Service and other government agencies. She also maintained a lifetime interest and active participation in the arts, culture, and community activities.
Norma's hobbies were painting and making beautiful jewelry, which she generously gave to her beloved family and friends. Her paintings varied from oil on canvas, to watercolor, to mixed media such as her delightful renderings of Latin American villages painted upon rocks of different shapes and sizes. Norma was a member of the Damas Latinas of San Diego, and served on the board of the Spreckels Organ Donor Society.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Dora Mandra, and brother Jose Valverde of Chula Vista, nieces Carol Mandra of Chula Vista, Sharon Ann Valverde Summers of San Diego, nephews Ronan Mandra of Chula Vista, Michael C. Valverde of Irvine, and Donald Louis Fernandez of Santee, California. Predeceased by her beloved John P. (Jack) Leonard, sister Ana T. Valverde, Arturo Valverde, mother Maria M. Valverde and father Jose Valverde. Normita died peacefully in her home in Bonita, California, with her family at her side, after a long battle with cancer and a broken heart from the passing of her husband Jack, deceased from lymphoma cancer on May 13, 2013.
Visitation: Thursday September 26, 2013 from 4 to 8pm at Funeraria Del Angel Humphrey, 735 Broadway, Chula Vista, Ca 91910.
Funeral Mass: Friday September 27th at 2pm, at St Pius X Catholic Church located at 1120 Cuyamca Ave, Chula Vista Ca.
Interment at Holy Cross Cemetary, to follow the mass.
A reception following the interment will be held at the home of Arturo and Frances Renteria, Jack & Norma’s dearest next door neighbors. 4030 Troon Way, Bonita, CA 91902.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society .
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