04/04/2024
Dear Fellow Paniquenians,
Note: Updated on 4/8/2024 to add the time for the PRAYER SERVICE (vigil) on Sunday, 4/21/2024 at 2:30pm sharp.
ZOSIMA TOLENTINO-MENDOZA
{March3, 1934 ~ March 30, 2024}
The Officers and Board of Directors of the PaniqueniansUSA, Inc of the San Francisco Bay Area are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a Paniquenian icon and matriarch of the Mendoza family.
Below you’ll find the obituary shared to us by the family of the deceased with the Funeral Arrangement.
“Zosima (“Metring”) Tolentino Mendoza, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on March 30, 2024, surrounded by family at her home in Vallejo, CA. Her parents were Elias
Tolentino and Magdalena Cayton Tolentino.
She was born on March 3, 1934, in Paniqui, Tarlac, and graduated from the University of the Philippines. She began teaching English at Samput Elementary School.
She married Arnolfo Tawatao Mendoza (passed away May 7, 2021) on December 22, 1957. She then followed Arnold to the United States in February 1970.
She worked an array of various jobs: Sales Associate in SF Macy's, Librarian for Laguna Honda Elementary, Archives Technician for the San Bruno Records Center, and a Tax Representative for the Oakland branch of the Internal Revenue Service, where she retired at 65 years old. Since then, she and Arnold travelled to Canada, the Philippines, and throughout the U.S. When she wasn't venturing to other cities and states, you could find her active in
local senior citizen clubs. She very much enjoyed the social life, attending numerous functions with the
Paniquenians, USA organization, and her local Fil-Am Club, where she served as President for several years. She frequently chartered casino trips to Thunder Valley, Red
Hawk, and Cache Creek, as slot machines were high on her list of favorites. However, nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with an ever-expanding family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren! She would not fall short of love as all the kids treasured her as "grandma."
Met's busy lifestyle was not limited by any means, but definitely Blessed. Other passions of hers included singing, playing piano, mahjong, ballroom dancing, cha-cha,
boogie, tango, and waltz. And did we mention she's the "best cook ever?"
She is survived by her four children:
1) Marlon Mendoza: married to Razel with children Chaena (married to Daniel), Shari, and Marizel.
2) Zylene Ferrin: a.k.a. Bebe, with partner Croy Child, and children, Jermaine, and Christiana (married to Kyle), with children Connor and Carter.
3) Nova Fitzgerald aka: Chin Chin, married to Nathan; with children Nathan Junior (married to Robyn), with children Abram and Ezekiel; Justin (married to Viktoria), with
daughters Kya and Iri; Michael; and Melissa.
4) Arnelle Brown: married to Marvin, with children Marvin Junior (married to Lisa); with children, Richard, Zion, Aryanna, Xavier, and Skye; Ameerah; Anthony; Azia; Averi; and
Adam.
5) Sisters Lorie Arichea-Martinez and Fe “Bebot” Tolentino.
“Eternal rest grant unto the soul of Zosima T. Mendoza O, Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen…”
A memorial service will be held at:
Skyview Memorial Lawn
200 Rollingwood Dr.
Vallejo, CA. 94591
Sunday, April 21, 2024
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Note: The Sunshine Committee of the Paniquenians USA will conduct a PRAYER SERVICE that will start promptly at 2:30pm on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Viewing:
Monday, April 22, 2024
10:00am - 11:00am
Viewing:
11:00am - 12:00pm
Service then followed by Burial
Repass details to follow.
Kindly direct Sympathy Messages and Prayer Sentiments to:
Zylene Ferrin
201 Bluebell Place, Vallejo, CA 94591”
Acknowledgement:
Thank you to Jovie Fernandez for coordinating with the family of the deceased to obtain the above obituary.
With our loving thoughts and prayers,
Sunshine Committee of the Paniquenians, USA, Inc.
Co-chaired by:
Pete Beltran - Publisher
Myrna Gille-Lamorena
Dante Lamorena
Led by: Lani Palarca -President
++++++++++++++++++++++++
In Loving Memory Of:
ZOSIMA TOLENTINO- MENDOZA
+[• 03.03.1934 ~ 03.30.2024 •]+
