Shirley Serrano Ordoveza

Shirley Serrano Ordoveza, age 77, passed away in her home on October 29, 2024, in Daly City, California. She was predeceased by her husband of 17 years and love of her life, Ramon "Johnny" H. Ordoveza, Jr.

Born on December 28, 1946, in Pateros, Philippines, Shirley was raised in a close-knit family, the fourth of five children. Coming from humble beginnings, Shirley learned the value of faith, hard work, and resilience early on. The most devout Catholic, Shirley attended Novena and Mass every week and prayed the rosary daily. God was a central part of her life, providing her with strength and guidance.

After graduating from Centro Escolar University and working as a secretary at Goodyear, Shirley found her way into sales where she found her passion. Her success came from her persistence but also her genuine desire to help others. She turned what she truly believed in and cared deeply for, into her life's work. This combination earned her numerous accolades, and incentives along the way, while giving her a tremendous sense of fulfillment. When her husband Johnny unexpectedly passed away in 2001, Shirley made it her mission to never have anybody go through the same experience of funeral planning without support. That's when she moved from selling life insurance to pre-need funeral services at Cypress Lawn and worked tirelessly to provide for her family, raising her then teenage daughter Stefanie, as a widow.

Shirley and Stefanie were an inseparable duo. Shirley was always present, cheering Stefanie on at every school function, basketball game, and tennis match. The amount of energy that she was able to muster to show up for Stefanie was so impressive and never went unnoticed. She was the first to capture those moments with her camera, celebrating Stefanie's achievements with pure joy and pride. She gave Patrick her blessing to ask for her daughter's hand in marriage, spoke at their wedding, waited anxiously for the birth of both of her grandbabies - she was the definition of an intentional parent. Shirley's unwavering support for her daughter was boundless, and the bond they share will forever be unbreakable.

Shirley's bond with her own mother, Sofia, was just as steadfast. When Stefanie moved away for college, Sofia came to live with her. She became Nanay Sofia's sole caregiver until her passing in 2012, another testament to Shirley's dedication to family and endless generosity and love for those who meant most to her.

Shirley's most recent joy came from her grandsons, Julian and Lucas. Being their "Nana" was her proudest role, and she cherished every moment she spent with them. Whether it was to visit for a day, a weekend, or to celebrate a special occasion, Nana was always excited to spend time with the boys. Her photo album was overrun with thousands of photos and videos of them, so she could relive the time they spent together when they were apart and proudly show them off to her friends and family. There are no words to fully describe her love for Julian and Lucas.

Shirley was not only a loving family member but also a friend to many. She had an incredible ability to connect with others. Shirley always thought of others first. Her generosity extended to all, and she had a special way of making everyone, even people she knew for only a few minutes, feel welcome. Her home was filled with love, photos and knick-knacks, and delicious food-whether cooked with care or thoughtfully bought. You would be asked to eat at least three times and then take food home with you. It was impossible to leave hungry!

Shirley is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Stefanie and Patrick, grandsons, Julian and Lucas Smith, sisters Evelyn Asuncion, Azucena Silverio, and Lilian Dayco, and brother Boy Serrano among many relatives across the globe.

As we celebrate Shirley's life, we are reminded of the countless ways she touched our hearts - the way she gave so much and so easily. While her time with us was short, it was filled with joy, and she will never be forgotten. Shirley was a loving daughter, devoted mother, and proud grandmother whose unconditional love for her family defined her life. She truly lived with her heart on her sleeve, and we wouldn't have had it any other way.

Rest in peace, Shirley (aka Mom, Nana, Shirl). May God bless you, Mom, as you reunite with Dad, Nanay Sofia, and Tatay Faustino. We will miss you every minute and are beyond grateful for your love. Your generous spirit will forever be a guiding light to all of us. We love you.

Memories added here: https://cypresslawn.com/obituaries/name/shirley-serrano-ordoveza-obituary/CS-20201019-456787_22530