Obituary of Gloria Ferrer Pastrana

Gloria Ferrer Pastrana, 92 years wise, passed away peacefully at home in Union City, California with her only daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Michael Pimentel and her three grandchildren, Nathan, Kristina and Matthew Pimentel by her side.

Gloria was born on July 22,1930 to Vicente Ferrer and Josefa Mercado in Lumban, Laguna, Philippines and was the youngest of five siblings.

Gloria started her professional career as an accountant for National Power Corporation, the PG&E equivalent in the Philippines.  She then became an accountant for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Manila until she left the Philippines in 1964 to experience the World’s Fair in New York and to pursue the American Dream.

As part of her journey to the United States, she visited and spent time with friends and family who resided on the Monterey Peninsula.  Through these friendships, Monterey eventually became home and provided the foundation she needed to establish her roots.

Professionally, Gloria continued to work in the accounting field and worked for different CPA firms in Monterey until she retired from the field in 1996.

Personally, Gloria was fortunate to be introduced to Carlos Tan, who she fell in love with and eventually married on February 2, 1966.  On October 31, 1967, she and Carlos were blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter, Lynda Tan.  Their life as a family was only beginning when an unfortunate fishing accident occurred on April 7, 1968 and took the life of Carlos, leaving Gloria without a husband and Lynda without a father at the mere age of 5 months old.

In the face of uncertainty, Gloria remained strong and resilient and raised Lynda on her own for many years with the overwhelming love and support of family and friends.  Never losing her faith, God blessed Gloria again and gave her love with Jose (Joe) Pastrana, a widower with two children - Carl and Josephine Pastrana. On May 5,1973, Gloria and Joe married and blended their two families to build an incredible life filled with many joyous and wonderful memories. Gloria and Joe were married until Joe passed away on November 5, 2005.    

In 1996, Gloria retired from the accounting field and moved to Union City to help her daughter raise her three grandchildren.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life; she loved them unconditionally and lived life through them.  They were her proudest and greatest accomplishment.

Gloria was a kind, caring and remarkable human being, a perfect combination of warmth, compassion and love, an individual who always did something nice, with someone else in mind – who remembered all of your accomplishments and would forget all of your mistakes. 

Gloria is survived by her loving family; daughters Lynda Pimentel and Josephine Beeson, son-in law Michael Pimentel, and grandchildren Nathan, Kristina and Matthew Pimentel, David and Stephanie Beeson, Melanie Stettenbenz and husband Shane, Joseph Pastrana and Danielle Price and great-grandchildren, Matthew and Susan Beeson and Valarie Pastrana.

Gloria's kindness, love, and generosity touched the lives of many, and she will be dearly missed. We will celebrate her beautiful life with a memorial viewing on Monday, May 15^th, scheduled from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and a rosary vigil at 5:30 pm at Mission Mortuary, 450 Camino El Estero, Monterey, California. 

A funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, May 16th at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church Street, Monterey, California at 10:00 am with Entombment following at San Carlos Cemetery, Monterey, California.

Gloria’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for your kindness during this difficult time.  To our family and friends, thank you for your prayers that have comforted us, for your support that has strengthened us and for your love that has sustained us.  It is appreciated more than words can express and will never be forgotten.