Zenaida M. Espinoza

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Zeny on May 5, 2020 at 2:44 A.M. She is our loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother and friend to all whose lives she touched.  She was 91 years old.
Born in Rosario, Cavite, Philippines, to Diega & Sinforoso.  Her parents were involved in the fishing industry, they produced fish sauce and fermented fish. She witnessed incredible changes to her world including the Japanese war from 1941 - 1945.  She attended  Magat Salamat Elementary School in 1937 and  Isabelo De Los Reyes Elementary School in 1940 and graduated from Cavite High School, Cavite City in 1947.  She attended College at National Teacher's College in Manila from 1949 to 1953 and received a Bachelors of Science degree in Education, majored in National Language and minored in History. Her first job was at Novaliches Academy as a High School History & National language teacher from 1953 to 1954. After a year of teaching, she embarked to a new journey which paved her utmost career and service with the U.S. Naval Base Facility, Subic Bay, Philippines and started as a Personnel Clerk in 1954.   She met her loving husband Manuel M Espinoza in Olongapo City, Philippines early 1955 and they were married on December 23, 1956.  They were married for 64 years.  She loves Bowling and was a team Coach and player with The Bironette's from 1960 to 1986.   She retired in 1987 as a Personnel Specialist at Base Industrial Relations Office/Consolidated Civilian Personnel Office U.S. Naval Base in Subic Bay after 34 years of continous service.  She applied and was awarded a special immigrant status in 1986.
Predeceased by her sisters Marcelina, Ester, Carmen, brothers Ricardo, Alfredo, her mother Diega Mendoza and her father Sinforoso Mendoza.  She was the eldest of 12 brothers and sisters. 
One of her favorite songs was: "wind beneath my wings". She loves watching "dancing with the stars" and " American Ninja Warrior" including "American Pickers".  She also enjoys watching  football but she is a genuine fan of baseball. She enjoyed reading all sorts of books and magazines. She loves to cook filipino dishes and favors making leche flan. Her favorite colors are blue, black and white. She loves wearing pearls.  She is so proud of being able to plant a mango tree at her house in the Philippines.  Her favorite flowering plant is Boungainvillea. Zeny is very religious, she goes to church almost every Sunday and prays the holy rosary daily.
She was the beloved mother of Lorie Espinoza Turton and her late son Manuel M Espinoza Jr (John-Jun), proud grandmother of Lora Mae and Joseph Herbert, Liaa Mari and Evelyn Rea, Lanea Mika Rea, son-in-law Randall Turton, greatgrand daughters  Brynn Arzola, Avea Rea and her loving husband of 64 years Manuel M Espinoza Sr.

Most of all she loved her family and instilled in her children strong values being Catholic. She was kind, thoughtful, generous, hard-working, honest and very helpful to those who are in need. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.   


She will be cremated and a celebration of Zeny's life will be held at a future date.