Julia Ramirez Tagorda

Julia Ramirez Tagorda, age 100, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2013, at her residence in Alta Loma, California. Julia was born on December 30, 1912, in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to Marcelino and Maria Faraon Ramirez. She grew up and moved to Manila in 1940 and married Juan "Johnny" Tagorda - a career police officer who for 25 years served with the Philippines National Police in Manila, Philippines - and together they raised a family of eight children.

Appointed by the Mayor as the liaison between her district and the City Mayor's Office, Julia served as Barangay Chairman, Barangay 433, Zone 44 of Sampaloc, Manila, for a period of five years. She relinquished that position when she immigrated to the United States in 1977.

In addition to her passion for gardening, Julia enjoyed her homecoming travels to the Philippines and her explorations of Europe. With her daughter, Estrellita Herreria, she traveled to France and visited The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, and with her youngest son Lito, visited Rome and Assisi in Italy and Fatima and Lisbon in Portugal.

A devout Catholic, Julia was a member of St.Peter and St. Paul Catholic Church in Alta Loma. She also attended mass services at St. Joseph Church and St. Anthony Church in Upland, California.

Julia is survived by seven children: Norma Gonzales and her husband, Esteban Gonzales, of Victorville; Esther Adan of Fontana; Estrellita Herreria of Upland; Virginia Umali and her husband, Rodelio Umali, of Ontario; Ruben Tagorda, and his wife, Pomona Tagorda, of Walnut; Lito Tagorda, of Alta Loma and Tessie Ritumban, and her husband, Virgilio Ritumban, of Yucaipa.

In addition to her seven children, Julia Tagorda is survived by 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Juan Tesoro Tagorda, of Alta Loma; her son Juan Tagorda Jr., and her son in-law, Victoriano Herreria, of Upland.

Viewing, funeral and burial services will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries, Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina CA 91724. On March 4-6, 2013, viewing will be from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Room A and B in the main mortuary building and from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM each evening in the Church of Our Heritage at Forest Lawn. Mass officiated by Father Eric Lewis, will be conducted on March 4 and 5 at 7:00 PM and by Fr. Mike Java on March 06 at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on March 7, 2013, at 11:30 AM in the Church of Our Heritage at Forest Lawn, Covina Hills.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina, California.