Nora Espejo Palpallatoc

Born on November 26, 1939, she was the second to the youngest of 12 children of the late Juanita Imperial Noriega Espejo and Segundino Peralta Espejo. Nora is survived by her husband Benjamin F. Palpallatoc; sisters Saturnina E. Calamaan and Luz E. Sermonia; brother Cesar Boy Espejo; her children, grandchildren, in-laws, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and many loving friends.

Nora was born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte, Philippines and migrated with her family to Ewa Beach, Hawaii in 1969. Nora and Ben married on May 9, 1957 and were married for 56 years. Together they had six children - four sons, Donald, Frank, Dennis and Wilson (who transitioned at birth), and two daughters Nida and Nobelyn. She has 10 grandchildren – Nikelas, Nicole, Jennifer, Kate, Jaylyn, Nolen, Joshua, Talen, Asher and Samantha; and 1 great granddaughter – Mckena.

At an early age, she became a devoted housewife, and also then migrated to the U.S.A. to realize the American Dream. She spent most of her precious life lovingly taking care of her grandchildren whom she adored more than life. She was an amazing mother and grandmother - she poured her heart and soul into helping raise all her children and grandchildren.

Nora’s personal passion was to share her delicious cooking with family and friends, which I’m sure most of you have had the pleasure of tasting. She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially to watch her favorite team – The Lakers! She sure knew how to cheer them on - Very Loudly! Laugh-laugh. She had a knack for arts and crafts – she enjoyed to crochet and was a talented seamstress! She was also what we called a natural “greenthumb” – she could grow any plant to life! She also loved pictures and dancing. What Filipina doesn’t?! Smile.

Nora did not actively go to church, but her faith in God was unshakable! She often reminded others that, “you don’t have to go to church to pray to God. God can hear you from anywhere.” With her faith in God, she lived her life to the fullest and knew that when the time came for her to go “home”, she had come to peace with that plan, and was very much accepting of it when that time would come. She is now, and has always been in God’s hands.

Nora was an incredible and unbelievable human spirit and she will be missed very much! Rest well loving wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, and friend. We all love you and we will miss you very much! You will live in our hearts and happy memories forever!

Happy Memories

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow

Of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering

Softly down the ways.

Of happy times and laughing times

And bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before

The sun

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.”

Viewing will be held on Friday, September 20, 2013 at Pierce Bros. Crestlawn in Riverside from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Pierce Bros. Crestlawn in Riverside at 1:00 pm.

Lunch Reception will follow the Funeral Service.

Address for Mortuary

Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Mortuary

11500 Arlington Avenue

Riverside, CA 92505

(951) 689-1441

Address for Lunch Reception following the Funeral Service

Sapporo Seafood Buffet

591 N. McKinley St, # 100

Corona, CA 92879

(951) 272-1888