Norma Moreno

Norma Casillas Moreno gained her angel wings on November 17, 2021. We lost this incredible woman to COVID19 at 64 years of age. Norma's life would seem too short to many, but those of us who were blessed to be touched by her understand that her existence and the imprint she left on our hearts exceed the quantity of time that she stayed here. She passed in the comfort of her home. She was the daughter of Magdaleno and Sara Casillas. As a teenager Norma attended and graduated from Foothill High School and later went on to Bakersfield College to become a medical assistant to work in the medical field. She retired from San Joaquin Valley Pulmonary Medical Group, Inc. after 15 years of service. She was a devoted wife to Jose “Pepe” Moreno, her soulmate. They shared over a quarter-century together. They raised two children together Ruben and Dominic Sanchez. They were the “sun of her shine”. She considered herself blessed to help raise daughters Stephanie McFadden, Katelyn Moreno, Jenny, and Becky Lopez. She was a mom to several nieces and nephews during their rebellious years.

Norma was talented in so many aspects of her life. She was a kind woman – holding fast to her beliefs, defending those she loved, and always seeking to better herself. Norma had a big heart and a big personality. She loved her family and made family time a priority. Whether it was hosting a fish fry every Good Friday, piling her SUV with kids and taking them to the movies or letting the girls play in her makeup and wigs for the day she made everyone feel special. Norma loved traveling. She loved a day trip to the beach in Cambria where she sought refuge from the chaos of everyday life. It was her place of peace, her safe place. She made frequent trips to Oklahoma to visit her sisters and family. It did not matter how big or small the event was her Oklahoma family could always count on her to be there. While in Oklahoma she loved to bid on auctions. She won many bids her sisters had to haul suitcases to California that were full of treasures she won. Norma was a good friend to so many. When she met someone, she left a lifetime impression. She shared many meals and memories with her close group of friends who she affectionately calls La “Loma Girls”. Norma was an amazing cook, always providing incredible pictures of mouthwatering traditional Mexican meals she prepared on Facebook. Many have seen her posts on Facebook always providing a positive message and speaking on social injustices. She also loved to post on Facebook her selfies with her mom, friends and family members enjoying themselves at special events. She would provide her good morning and good evening wishes to her family and friends. During the holidays she enjoyed posting pictures of her dining room table always providing a cheerful holiday theme. Aside from that, Norma enjoyed playing games on her phone, arts and crafts, and cuddling on the couch watching movies especially foreign movies on Netflix, she loved music of all genres, she enjoyed thrift shopping and Walmart at 5:00 AM. For a short time, she was an entrepreneur who sold Dia de los Muertos print items. She also was a huge football fan. Her favorite teams to cheer for were the “Washington Football Team” and the “University of Oklahoma” college football team. Most importantly Norma was a terrific mom. Her children were her life. There was never a day that went by she didn't brag about all her kids. She was a very proud Chicana true to her Native American heritage roots. She knew her family history and was excited when she had the opportunity to tell the younger generations about their roots. She had a big compassionate heart, always helping family members or friends when she could. She was a respectable and hardworking woman, and she loved her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her beloved father, Magdaleno Casillas, father -in-law Antonio Moreno, brother-in-law, Antonio Moreno, nieces Angie Gooden, Sophie Moreno, and Gabriel Lopez and her nephew Larry “TuTu”  Barrios.

She is survived by her husband Jose Moreno, children Ruben Sanchez, Dominic Sanchez, Stephanie McFadden and grandchildren Dayjah and Tiana, Kate Moreno and child Julius Lugo, Becky Lopez and Jenny Lopez and children, her mother Sara Casillas, mother-in-law Maria Elena Moreno, siblings, Rangell Casillas, Isabell Vallejo, Marcella Osborne, Martha Casillas, Maggie Wollard, Grace Moreno, Patty Mendez, the Sanchez family and countless nieces and nephews. Everyone who knew Norma knew that she was an extremely kind, loving, gentle and peaceful person, and that she loved her family very much. We will continue to honor her legacy by sharing the same love she had for others she was a mom, wife, sister, Norma, Normita, Nina, Tia and cheetah Mama and she was loved more than 1000 splendid Suns. Norma will be dearly missed. She now rests at peace with the lord.