Lourdes Bernal Manansala

She is survived by her spouse, Renato Santos Manansala of 57 years, her children; Lorena Meronoff, Ronald Manansala, and Melissa Minas. She has four grandchildren; Michelle Benedito, Madeline Achuela, Melanie Anne Minas, and Marcus Minas.

Lourdes was born in Camarines Norte, Philippines, the eldest of seven. Her parents were Gaudioso Ricafort Bernal and Josefa Custodio Bernal. She has two surviving siblings; Aida Sanga and Marissa Bernal.

Her work accomplishments include entrepreneurship in owning and operating a financial services business to include bookkeeping, accounting, notary public, insurance agent, real estate agent, tax preparer and other various business ventures for 35 years. She was also involved with Tupperware, Avon and Mary Kay cosmetics so that she could stay at home to care for her children during their younger years and served as a dutiful military wife for 25+ years.

Family was paramount to her. She sacrificed leaving her parents and all family behind when she emigrated to the United States in 1966 with her U.S. Navy serviceman husband, Renato, and their infant daughter, Lorena. She was the trailblazer to the family she left behind because she petitioned her parents and shortly after, her brother and sister, so that they could be with her in the U.S. She would take frequent trips to the Downey/Bellflower/Cerritos area to visit her sister and her family and made sure to attend all of their gatherings.

Outside of running her business, she enjoyed playing the piano and guitar, loved to sing, listen to music, loved big gatherings with friends and family and loved to eat and cook. When her children were younger, she enjoyed making ceramic items, painting and embellishing them so she can proudly display them in her home. Lourdes knew how to sew. She made clothing for her children and curtains for the home. She loved animals and they loved her. She welcomed all kinds of pets in the home while her children were growing up. Lourdes loved to shop and find good bargains on purses, shoes, clothes, jewelry, cosmetics and perfume. She enjoyed playing Bingo with her husband, children and grandchildren in the past year.

Lourdes was a very devout Catholic and devoted much of her free time to the Church Life/Ministries/Organizations: She served the St.Charles Catholic Parish Music ministry for 20 years and was an active member of the Cursillo movement group. She was a parishioner for about 40 years.

Her family will miss her great sense of humor, her generosity of time, devotion and support to family. She taught her children to have a very good work ethic, to have empathy for others, to keep on learning, to have good manners and to increase their faith by going to church regularly. She constantly reminded them to take good care of themselves and to take pride in their appearance. Her love and care for her family will be felt for many years to come. She will be greatly missed by all.