Purita B. Santos

Purita B. Santos lived along the coast of California for over 40 years, most recently in Vallejo and Lakewood California. Prior to that she lived in the Philippines. She passed away suddenly on October 27, 2018 in Lakewood, California from a broken heart.

Purita was born on November 18, 1938 in Castillejos, Zambales, Philippines. She was married to Rodolfo A. Santos, her college sweetheart. She went to school at Far Eastern University in the Philippines to become a teacher, but her plans changed when she married her true love, Rudy, in 1964. Her greatest accomplishments include being a supportive and true wife to her husband, retired Navy of 21 years, and being an exemplary mother to her four children, Mario, Nancy, Nimfa and Joseph.

Being a military wife, she had the patience, endurance and strength to continue in the absence of her husband for years at a time while he was overseas. She was often left alone to raise her young children and to celebrate their milestones. Having had lost her own parents at a very early age she was a natural at being a mother, it was her calling. She showered her young children with love, taught them, guided them and raised them—all with such patience. She was very proud of them and would smile when boasting of their accomplishments to family, friends and others who would listen.

Purita’s ability to nurture was also seen in her changing garden over the years. She had an abundance of productive trees and crops. As an avid gardener, she sowed most of her beloved plants from seed. She enjoyed going to the plant nursery and would come home with new finds. Her most recent joy was caring for her three hens Henny, Penny and Brownie.

While Purita had a beautiful life with her husband and children, it wasn’t without challenges. She was a woman who persevered to endure and overcome her disabilities from a stroke and survive cancer. She unfortunately passed away from a broken heart, having had lost the Love of her life just four months prior.

Purita lives on through her children: Mario, Nancy, Nimfa and Joseph, her grandchildren: Xavier, Steven, Zedrik and Avery, and her siblings: Bernie Bernardino and Elena Quijencio.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401