On Valentine’s Day of 1929 in General Trias City of the Cavite Province in the Phillippines, Eustaquia Nocon Pascual and Pedro Pascual welcomed a daughter who would grow up to be a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a great-great-grandmother. That loving daughter, of course, was Luningning Nocon Pascual Nepomuceno.
Being the oldest of her six siblings: Jessie, Zenny, Ignacio, Biring, Sioning, and Santos, Luningning mastered the ways of the family--especially how to nurture others. This mastery of nurturing others proved to be useful. She began teaching at San Roque Elementary School in the Phillippines after graduating from Saint Joseph College with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
Along the way, Luningning met a dashing young lad, five years her senior, named Bonifacio Nepomuceno, Sr. They fell in love and married in Candaba, Pampanga on January 7, 1951. Not long after, the two were soon joined by a third: their first daughter Ligaya. Then came Florante, twins Edgardo and Eduardo, Bonifacio, Jr., Graciela, Sonia, Esperanza, and finally Fortunato.
The 80s introduced a new chapter in her life: she relocated to the United States in search of better opportunities for her family. Family was always a priority! She got to know and adjust to the ways of the Bay Area, San Diego, and Harker Heights.
Luningning’s unwavering love for taking care of children never ceased. “Nanay”, as she was known to the family, took care of her 15 grandchildren: Ezra, Andrew, Allan, Byron, Bonnie, Joyce, Lala, Edu, Camille, Kit, Marcus, Anne, Kyle, and Dustin and even managed to babysit other children in El Sobrante, California. When she wasn’t busy cooking and taking care of children, Luningning was either reading, gardening, solving crossword puzzles and word searches, attending Arlington Baptist Church, or watching Cops and wrestling with fellow husband, Bonifacio. As if nine children, 15 grandchildren, and countless students were not enough, Luningning also managed to dazzle some of her 17 great-grandchildren with her unconditional love.
After spending the holiday season with several of her children, Luningning was finally summoned by the love of her life, Bonifacio, to join him on January 18, 2019. She also joins her parents, sister Zenny, brother Biring, and son Eduardo who have waited to be reunited with her in Heaven.
Nearing 90 years of age, Luningning has no doubt left a legacy of laughter, happiness, and love.
