Tributes

In Loving Memory of Emelita B. Pacada May 1952 – July 2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Emelita, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who peacefully entered eternal rest at the age of 73. Emelita, fondly known as Mely, was born in Codoog, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. She grew up in a small village rich in faith, tradition, and community—values she carried with her throughout her life. Even as a young girl, she displayed quiet strength, a heart for service, and a soul that uplifted others. Her kindness was never loud but deeply felt by everyone who knew her. She immigrated to the United States with courage rooted in love—for her family and the future she envisioned. Emelita earned her associate’s degree at Reedley Community College and went on to serve as a registrar for over two decades in the California State Community College system. She was widely regarded as a subject matter expert and admired for her diligence, integrity, and positive attitude. She gave every task dignity and purpose out of discipline and care, never for recognition. Yet her most significant work was never found behind a desk—it was in the home she built and the family she nurtured. Emelita was a devoted and loving wife, whose unwavering love for her husband was the foundation of her life. She stood faithfully by his side through every triumph and trial, offering strength, encouragement, and unconditional support. As a mother, she raised her two sons with the same values of faith and perseverance. Both proudly answered the call to military service—one in the U.S. Army and the other in the U.S. Air Force—serving a combined 40 years. She also welcomed her daughters-in-law with open arms, embracing them fully as her own daughters. Her love and acceptance made them feel deeply valued and genuinely part of the family. As a grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren, Emelita’s love was boundless. She had a way of making each child feel like the most important person in the world, whether through her warm hugs, comforting voice, or joyous laughter. She was their safe place, their cheerleader, and their guardian angel long before she earned her wings. Emelita’s love for her two brothers also endured throughout her life. Distance and time never diminished her devotion. Her relationships were rooted in action and loyalty—she never gave up on family. A gifted cook and gardener, she expressed love through the simple yet profound act of nurturing. Her kitchen was her sanctuary, where the scent of simmering soups and garlic in the pan filled her home with warmth. Her garden flourished under her care, a reflection of how she approached life—with patience, dedication, and a desire to bring beauty into the world. Emelita was also deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. She didn’t just attend church; she served in it. She volunteered as a scripture reader, delivering the Word of God with clarity, reverence, and quiet authority. She lived the Gospel daily through humility, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. She gave without asking, forgave without condition, and loved without limits. She held families together, kept traditions alive, and turned ordinary moments into sacred memories. Emelita’s passing leaves an immeasurable void, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who love her. We hear her in our prayers, see her in the smiles of her grandchildren, and feel her presence in the lessons she instilled in us. As the Book of Proverbs reminds us: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Her children arise and call her blessed.” Today, we rise and call her blessed—for the sacrifices she made, the courage she carried, the faith she lived, and the unconditional love she shared with her husband, family, and all who knew her. Emelita is survived by her loving husband, her two sons and their families, her cherished daughters-in-law, her five adored grandchildren, her two brothers, and countless relatives and friends whose lives she touched with warmth and kindness. Forever in our hearts, forever our example, and forever loved.

Tributes

Emelita Bernal Pacada

May 8, 1952 - July 23, 2025