Obituary of Elena Foronda Rocamora

Elena “Elaine” “Rocky” Foronda Rocamora, 89, of Salinas passed away early on Tuesday morning, January 25, 2022 at Windsor Skyline Care Center. She was born on July 31, 1932 in Santa, Illocos Sur, Philippines to Sancho Aquino and Vicenta de Peralta Foronda and was the third of their four children. She also had two siblings from her father’s 2nd marriage to Faustina Delizo Foronda. 

Elena attended Immaculate Conception College in Vigan then attended Manila Central University (MCU) graduating with her Nursing degree on February 27, 1957. After graduation, Elena worked at the First National Royal Insurance Group in Escolta, Manila for 3 years as a company nurse. In 1960, she traveled across the world to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and worked at Wills Hospital, completing a Post Graduate Course in Ophthalmic Nursing after six months, Elena also earned a degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 

Upon completion of her nursing courses in Philadelphia, Elena traveled across the country to Delano, California to live with her uncle, Dan “Grandpa Danny” Foronda while working at Delano Hospital. It was in Delano that she met her husband, Marcelino “Mars” Malineza Rocamora. They married on May 24, 1962 and had their first child, Zenaida, in January 1963 before moving and settling in Salinas with the other members of the Rocamora Family. Elena began her nursing career at Salinas Memorial Hospital before transferring to Natividad Medical Center where she retired in September 1997 after 33 years. 

Elena enjoyed doing word puzzles, watching Filipino soap operas, crocheting for anyone and everyone, and talking about her growing family. Elena was a lifetime member of the Filipino Community and The Filipino Women’s Club of Salinas which she was also past President in 1984, Elena was also Past President of the Filipino American Catholic Association of Salinas, and a member of the Barangay Lions Club and the Fi-Am Civic League of Salinas. Elena especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grand children and loved going on trips with them. 

Elena was preceded in death by her husband, Marcelino”Mars” Sr., her parents, Vicenta & Sancho Foronda, her siblings Laurentino Foronda, Felicitas Foronda Paz, Ruben Foronda, and her son-in-law, Jay Kamine. 

Elena is survived by her children: Zenaida Kamine, Albert (Shelley) Rocamora, Marcelino ”Mars” (Jocelyn) Rocamora, Jr. and Medardo (Anita) Rocamora; her adopted daughters: Faith Foronda Rocamora and Fatima Foronda Rocamora; her grandchildren: Jenalee (Joe) Jemera, Zachary Kamine, Raymond (Kylie) Rocamora, Justin (Marissa) Rocamora, Joshua (Cami) Rocamora, Elizabeth (Kyle) Kamine and Kainoa Rocamora; her great grandchildren: Ailyn, Isaiah, Alani, Philip and Aziel; and her siblings; Susana Foronda Oreta and Remedios (Orlando) Foronda Roque as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb 10, 2022 from 1-5pm with a Rosary Vigil at 3pm, all at Healy Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Rd, Salinas, CA 93905. Celebration of the Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, Feb 11, 2022 at 10am at Madonna Del Sasso Catholic Church, 320 E. Laurel Dr., Salinas, CA 93906. Burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, CA 93907.