Irene Devera Ritualo

Irene Devera Ritualo was born on July 6th, 1924 in Alitaya, Mangaldan, Pangasinan, Philippines. She was the youngest of three children, born to Andres and Marcela Calicdan Devera. At the age of 17, she married the late Almaquio Espinoza Ritualo. She lived in Pozorrubio, Philippines, where she raised their family. They relocated to Mangaldan, Philippines, when her mother passed away. In 1983, at the age of 59, she and her husband immigrated to the United States through the petition of her daughter, Gelita Mejia. Eventually, her whole family followed after to the states.

Irene Ritualo was a loving and devoted wife to her late husband, Almaquio. She was a giving and sacrificial mother of twelve children. She spent much of the time caring and helping raise her grandchildren while her children worked hard as new citizens in America. Her children would attribute all their successes to her help during those early years. Had it not been for “Nay,” as they affectionately call her, they and their children, and their children’s children would have never known the American Dream. As her family continued to grow, she became not only a grandmother, but a great and great-great grandmother with family spread across the globe--in the US, Canada, England, Dubai, and in the Philippines. She was known by all her family and friends by her kindness, generosity, and faith. She prayed faithfully over her family by name daily.

In her later years, she spent her days under the care of her loving children, and lived at the home of her daughter, Necitas Chan and family. Irene celebrated Christmas Eve in the company of her beloved family where they were fortunate to make their last memories with her. At the age of 99, on December 27th, 2023, Irene passed away peacefully in her sleep. She is survived by her ten children, thirty grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. She was the matriarch of the Ritualo family, in whom they only hope to carry on her legacy of family, love, and faith. She will be greatly missed by all.

Visitations for Irene will be held Saturday, January 20th, 2024 from 5pm to 9pm and Sunday, January 21st, 2024 from 5pm to 9pm, at Glen Abbey Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A funeral service will occur Monday, January 22nd, 2024 from 12pm to 1pm at ST. Mary's Catholic Church, 426 E 7th Street, National City, CA 91950. A committal service will occur Monday, January 22nd, 2024 from 1:30pm to 2pm at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.