Mrs. Norberta Magallanes Alvarado

Norberta Magallanes Alvarado has enjoyed a lifetime of remarkable success in every avenue of her endeavors, inspiring others through her professional achievements, support of community, and strong devotion to family and provided a dynamic role model for all people who believe strongly in their obligation to improve the quality of life for family and future generations. A successful mother and homemaker, Norberta devoted a great part of her life to discerning the needs of others, both in her family and in the community, and she distinguished herself as a pioneering member of the early San Francisco Filipino American families and generously gave of her time and efforts to organizing, founding, sponsoring and hosting events in the early 1960s.Throughout its history, the City and community has been blessed with individuals who possess great spirit, who in addition to their daily pursuits, have take a keen interest in local affairs, and Norberta Alvarado has participated in numerous enterprises with evidence of lasting contributions to her family and the community. Originating from the Visayas, Norberta was born in the Philippines on November 21, 1919. After the war (WWII), Norberta worked as pharmacy manager in Tacloban Leyte at Pharmacia Santo Niño and then in Botica Nueva Center pharmacy in Cebu before accepting a position as governess for an American family in which capacity she was given the opportunity to travel the world to such places as Hong Kong, Singapore, Cape town and Durban, and South Africa, as well as Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and Caracas, Venezuela. The Greenwalds of New York City became her new ‘family’. Robert Greenwald II, Vice President of CALTEX oil refinery and his family were based in Batangas, Philippines. As governess, Norberta cared for their children Bobby, Jeffery and Billy. After arriving in the U.S. and touring New York, North Carolina and Delaware, Norberta stopped in San Francisco. Norberta Magallanes & Ricardo Alvarado were introduced by a mutual friend Flordeliz ‘Loly’ Banez, who worked at the Cultural Attache of the Philippine Consulate of San Francisco from 1955 - 1964. They began a courtship as pen-pals. A year later, Norberta became engaged to Ricardo Alvarado and resigned from her position as governess. In April 1959, Ricardo Alvarado traveled to the Philippines to marry Norberta. She returned to San Francisco on September 1, 1959 and their union was blessed with two children, Janet and Joseph. The Alvarados are permanent residents of San Francisco. She passed on peacefully in her home on September 17, 2015. We honor and cherish her for being in our lives. Friends may visit on Monday (TODAY) after 5:00PM and Tuesday from 9:00AM to 9:00PM and are invited to attend the Vigil also on Tuesday at 7:00PM all at the Chaples of Valente Marini Perata & Co. 4840 Mission Street, SF. Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday September 23, 2015 at 10:00AM at Corpus Christi Church 62 Santa Rosa Avenue, SF. Committal to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma. Online condolences may be offered at www.vmpandco.com.

Mrs. Norberta Magallanes Alvarado

November 21, 1919 - September 17, 2015