Elnora B. Jimenez

Elnora Jimenez, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, finished her race on January 7, 2025, in Pasadena, California. Nora, as she was commonly known, was 84 years old. Born to Ignacio and Cecilia Bustamante on September 10, 1940 in Pasay City, Philippines just over a year prior to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Nora will be remembered as a kind and resilient spirit, deeply dedicated to her family and faith throughout her life.

Her academic journey took her through the halls of MIT (Mapua Institute of Technology), where her father worked lettering diplomas enabling his children to attend both high school and college at the prestigious educational institution. Nora took advantage of this opportunity, graduating as the valedictorian of her high school class. In college, she earned the distinction of Gold Medalist as she graduated MIT with a degree in Accounting.

Nora began her professional journey with a government position at the Bureau of Health before moving on to the Philippine National Bank (PNB), where she received training to become a programmer analyst in the newly formed Electronic Data Processing Department. Life after WWII was difficult for many families and the Bustamante family was no exception. So when Nora started working professionally she elevated the family's financial status significantly and continued in this role for years to come. In 1973, she took the brave step of emigrating from her birth country to the United States, where she worked for approximately one year. Nora returned to the Philippines in 1974, resuming her career at PNB, this time as an auditor. Her journey continued in the U.S. after marriage where she worked in accounting for companies in Arcadia and Glendale.

In the 1990's, Nora and her husband, Ananias or "Ani," ventured into entrepreneurship by acquiring a thrift store business with two other partners. She managed the business and accounting side of operations. The thrift store had locations in Pasadena, La Puente, and eventually opened a third store near La Puente. For 10 years, Nora would start her mornings opening the Pasadena store before heading to the main store in La Puente, which also served as the processing center for donated merchandise.

Nora and Ani started off as acquaintances at church in the mid-1960's when they were both KADIWA (organization for single adults) officers in the local congregation of Pasay. It was years later in 1974 when a relationship between them budded. Shortly after marrying in May 1975 Nora returned to the States on her own and Ani followed her in 1976. They started their life together in Los Angeles but soon purchased their first home in Pasadena that same year. The following year they welcomed their daughter, Elenore. The family would move twice more all within the city of Pasadena.

Nora was a person of strong convictions and unwavering faith, traits that defined her personality and guided her throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) where she was an officer in the Children's Worship Service and later an officer in the KADIWA organization as a young adult. When she married she accepted the duty of treasurer in the Finance Department starting in the Local of Los Angeles. As a pioneering member of the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) congregation in 1976 she became the Local Treasurer and was in the duty through the reconstruction and completion of the SGV chapel (1985-86). From there she carried on with her office as deaconess which she became around the mid-80's. When the extension and subsequent congregation formed in Pasadena in the early 1990's, Nora was also a great support to Ani, who became the Head Deacon of the local. He was in that leadership role until 2016. Nora was devoted not only to her family but also to the care and well-being of her brethren, embodying a spirit of generosity and kindness.

A talented cook, she is remembered by many of her dishes and how she showed her love to her family through cooking by making meals for her daughter's family or when someone was ill. Until the pandemic, Nora prepared the turkey for Thanksgiving, making more than needed to ensure there were leftovers for her family-famous paksiw na turkey (turkey stewed in a vinegar and liverwurst sauce--really, it's good). Over the years, friends would reminisce about her delicious dishes, most notably her renowned pot roast. 

 In her later years, Nora faced health challenges, being hospitalized on October 9, 2024, at Huntington Memorial Hospital. Two and a half weeks later, she was moved to Kindred Hospital, and on November 14, she was transferred to Pasadena Park, where she continued to receive rehabilitation until her passing. Tragically, on January 7, 2025, in the wake of a catastrophic fire in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, with her husband by her side, she experienced a heart attack that took her life suddenly. Her passing marks the end of a full life, defined by love, devotion, and unwavering strength.

Nora is remembered by her husband, Ani; daughter, Elenore "Leni"; son-in-law, Mel; granddaughters, Macie and Cameryn; sister, Evelyn; brother, Edgar; and sisters-in-law, Remi and Chit, along with 5 nieces and nephews, and 4 grandnieces. Nora was predeceased by her father Ignacio, mother Cecilia, and siblings Ronaldo, Eddie, and Lina, as well as her dear aunts, Tiya Bebeng and Tiya Nene.

Nora leaves behind a legacy of love, perseverance, and faith, and her memory will be preserved in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. 

The family kindly encourages Nora's friends and loved ones to share thoughts, memories, pictures, or videos in the guest book below.