Asteria Tolentino DePeralta's Obituary
Asteria Tolentino dePeralta
August 18, 1917 – March 1, 2017
Asteria Tolentino dePeralta was born on August 18, 1917 in Alcala, Pangasinan, Philippines to parents Ceferino and Tereza. She was one of 5 sisters and brother. She attended school in Manila and later became an elementary grade teacher in the town of Santo Tomas. She met and married Florencio dePeralta on March 11, 1950 and they moved to California, where she studied Home Economics at UC Berkeley and received her Bachelor of Science degree from San Francisco State University. After her daughter Jane was born, Asteria worked for 20 years for the Social Security Administration in Richmond, CA.
As a patriotic citizen of the U.S. and supporter of military veterans programs, she held leadership roles with various organizations promoting community projects for health, education, and welfare for the last 60 years. These organizations include the American Legion Auxiliary, Eight & Forty Alameda County, La Femme Cabane , Freedom’s Foundation of Valley Forge, Filipino Catholic Organization, Oakland, and Senior Citizen Bay Area Advocates.
Asteria enjoyed volunteer work, cruises, casino trips, national conventions covering many states in the U.S. She was a parishioner of St. Jarlath since 1956. But her biggest joy came from entertaining dear friends and family. Her home was the first welcome to many cousins and relatives arriving from the Philippines. She was regarded as the second mom to all that came to stay with her during the years and her home was always full of great food and hearty laughter.
Asteria passed on peacefully on March 1, 2016 at the age of 98 surrounded by loving family. She is survived by her daughter Jane LeBlanc (Joe), grandson Jason LeBlanc, sister Natividad Balbas, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is remembered for her big heart and endless generosity. She lived a full life with the belief in living as if your moments were your last. Herfavorite motto is “Live, Love, Laugh” and what a wonderful laugh she had.
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