Bianca Nubia Portillo

Bianca Nubia Portillo, also known as "Blanca," was the Matriarch of the Portillo Family.
A powerhouse who filled her home with positive energy, a creative soul who possessed the flair of a designer, a warrior who weathered storms and was met with thunderous applause for her strength, a cheerleader, a mascot for her loved ones' achievements, an Angel on Earth-now watching from above. No words can fully describe the legacy Bianca left behind in her 79 years with us.
Born on February 8, 1946, to Maria "Mama Maria" and Rafael "Papi" Flores-whom she now joins in the afterlife-Bianca led what some would call a rebellious life. She wasn't one to follow rules blindly. Her gumption, beauty, wisdom, and sarcastic wit left a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to meet her.
She sacrificed her dream of becoming a nurse and instead went on to earning an Associate's Degree in Business after graduating from Notre Dame High School in San Francisco. She went on to become an Accounting Manager at Deloitte Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte), where she thrived for several decades.
Not a day passed without her leading her household with prayer, blessings, and positive affirmations. She was the living example that Wonder Woman truly existed. She proved that honorable marriages were not fictitious having been betrothed to Rolando Portillo from a very young age. In fact, they would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this September.
Not a day passed when she didn't pray for her brother Ray "Payo" Flores, who she now joins in Heaven, or for her brother Cisto Flores, who resides in Bend, Oregon.
Not a day passed without Bianca telling her daughters, Venisa and Athena, and her son Apollo, how deeply she loved them. Our words of love were always returned with:
"I love you more," "I love you to infinity and beyond," "I love you infinito."
Her love made every day more meaningful.
She embraced her sons-in-law, Nelson (with the family for 40 years) and Mike (20 years), and her daughter-in-law Adrianna (also 20 years), as her own children.
Not a day went by in their approximately 60 years together that the love between Bianca and Rolando was apparent, as they had a mutual understanding of each other's needs and the respect always remained sacred.
But what became the apple of her eye was her new role as Grandmother when Apollo and Adriana gifted her with grandchildren as Nevaeh and London entered her life in 2013 and 2018. Bianca was endlessly curious and joyful about their academic successes, martial arts achievements, and happiness. Witnessing the joy in her face, the pep in her step, it was as if she was transported back to that feeling of becoming the mother to her only son Apollo, who was to ALL of us the Yang that was missing in our lives back in 1982. And sure, he still is... :)
Her devotion extended to her beloved pets-German Shepherds, Bichons Frises, and most recently, Keanu, Ripley, and Jonesy, who has probably found his way to her by now as we lost him on May 4th.
To all of us, Bianca was OUR Fairy Godmother, OUR Santa Claus, OUR Easter Bunny-bringing wonder, awe, and joy to every moment of our childhoods and adulthoods. Bianca was, without question, the best mother, grandmother, sister, wife, and best friend anyone could ask for.
There came a time when her health started to decline and in turn paused her zest to travel to many countries she had on her bucket list as well as exploring the continent of South America.
Previously she had the opportunity to spend 3 months trekking through Europe, Hawaii, Cancun and to this day we cherish the many souvenirs she handpicked and brought back to us. She also had the opportunity to attend the Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador where her elegance and aesthetic caught the eye of many and assumptions made their way through the venue that she was there to represent the United States which led her, Rolando and her father in-law to switch tables to the front and center so that her beauty was showcased on LIVE TV.
That was the kind of impact Bianca made-simply by being herself.
Allow me to provide you with a more in-depth look into our Mom's life...
She had a love for sci-fi and horror films, crime TV, fashion magazines, history books, jewelry, and makeup-all of which she consumed religiously. She delighted in her favorite meals-cheeseburgers, filet mignon, halibut, potatoes, candy, milkshakes, chicken marsala, fettuccine alfredo, cake, cupcakes, donuts, Coca-Colas-especially when lovingly made by Venisa and Nelson.
Many summers were enjoyed in Disneyland, Russian River, Lake Berryessa, and many winters were spent in San Francisco Union Square for holiday shopping as Christmas was our mom's FAVORITE time to celebrate. Honestly, she looked forward to Venisa creating her very own private Winter Wonderland that she could transport herself to everyday between the months of November and January... Venisa did it FOR her.
Although Bianca's love of excursions and expeditions were placed on hold for many years, we now know that she is free from pain and residing within the arms of her parents Maria and Rafael and her brother Ray, transversing the planet as the beautiful butterfly patronus we know she has morphed into as we speak in this very moment in time
Family and Friends, I leave you with this... our mom's morals, values, and devotion to family will live on through every Portillo household and if there is one way to describe and share all that encompasses who our Mother was here on Earth and continues to be beyond... It is this
THE FORCE Our mom is one with The Force. The Force will always be with her. And she will live within all of us-now and forevermore.