Nora Leonor Cordero Espino M.D., PAFP, of Three Bridges in Readington Township, NJ, 76 years of age, passed away peacefully at Hunterdon Medical Center on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 2:55 a.m. of several complications from Parkinson’s Disease and a brain stroke. 

She was born in Samal, Bataan, Philippines and was the daughter of the late Herminio and Leonor Espino, and cherished sister to Alexis Winston (deceased), Roberto Jose (deceased), Rene Rafael, and Florida Evelyn. She was a loving daughter, devoted to her parents, and prided herself in being a “Papa’s daughter”.  She was an older sister who loved her siblings very much.

She followed her father’s wishes to become a doctor of medicine and thoroughly poured out her heart and soul to help people of all ages through healing. Specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology, she earned her Fellow Diplomate (Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, PAFP) in General Practice which afforded her the gift of healing people from birth to death. For 38 years, she was a resident fellow at Caloocan General Hospital where she delivered countless babies: naturally, caesarian or with other complications. Truly devoted to her calling, she did not forget her true passion – her children. She would do anything and everything for her children. Being a single mother, her children literally grew up in the hospital as they accompanied their loving mother during duty rotations. At the same time, she held multiple side jobs to afford the growing needs of her children. Nothing was too small or too menial for her, if it meant that her children would have a better home and education.

After retirement, she joined her daughter, Nancy in New Jersey, and relentlessly “encouraged” Manny (then in California) and Carmela (then in New Zealand) to move closer to New Jersey. Her tenacity and perseverance proved fruitful – all her children eventually settled in the Garden State, living minutes from each other; taking care of each other, and raising the next generation together – taking the kids to school, and after school care. She religiously cooked food for the entire family, especially when Carmela was under medical care. Her lumpia, palabok, and caldereta were to die for!  

A daily communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Nora Lenor was a joyful catechist on the CCD team. She adored teaching children, especially 1st and 3rd graders, teaching them all about prayers and the life of Jesus. Through her strong faith and love of God, she gained strength in her faith through sharing life spiritually.

Nora Leonor is survived by her three children: Carmela Norita (Christopher) Guevarra of Annandale, Nancy Fritz (Michael) Hibo of Three Bridges, and Manuel Herminio (Krissy) Mombay of Glen Gardner; two gorgeous loves of her life grandsons, Lola and Mama to them: Matthew Kristoff Mombay and Kyle Christopher Guevarra; a brother, Rene Rafael Espino (Teresita) Espino; a sister, Florida Evelyn (Alexander) Mendoza; several nieces, nephews and lifelong friends from the Philippines; and her extended family at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Women Spiritual Group (WSG), Prayer Shawl, Adult Religious Formation Group, Bible Studies, and Catechism Class.

Nora Leonor will lie in repose on Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Thomas J. Serafin, KCHS, will take place on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Everyone is kindly asked to arrive at the church on Monday morning at 10:45 a.m., and to follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

For those unable to attend Mass, please click HERE to watch the Church’s livestream feed.

Following Mass, all are welcome to accompany Nora Leonor to the Chapel at Somerset Hills Memorial Park Crematory for words of committal.

Inurnment will take place at a later date.

You are encouraged to visit Nora Leonor’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, via mail to 674 Mountain View Road East, Asbury, NJ 08802 or online by clicking HERE.

____________________________

Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Nora Leonor Cordero Espino, M.D., PAFP, please visit our Tribute Store.