Zenaida Mangahis Jesmer

On Thursday, June 8, 2023, Zenaida (de la Paz) Jesmer, loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away at home in Covina, California, after a long and debilitating illness. She was 73 years of age.

“Zyda,” as she was also known, was born on May 2, 1950 in Manila, Philippines to Bayani Mangahis and Benjamina Mata. She attended University of the East (Manila) and was a teacher for 35 years. Teaching grades 1 and 6 at Santa Ana Elementary School (Manila), she was loved by her coworkers and students alike. She lovingly raised her only child, Robert “Sonny” de la Paz.

In 2002, Zenaida came to the United States and proudly became a US citizen in 2015. She met Gordon Jesmer and they were married on December 29, 2018.

Zyda had a passion for helping others. She loved to cook for them, clean up after them, and ensure that everyone’s needs were met. There was rarely a person in need that she didn’t go out of her way to help. She often sent money and supplies to her family, friends, and former colleagues/teachers in the Philippines.

Generous, loyal, faithful, kind: all words descriptive of Zenaida. She loved music, enjoyed dancing and could be heard singing almost every day. She was an expert selfie-taker and enjoyed gardening, dining out and watching movies with her husband and son. Zyda was known for her spirituality, kindness, patience and sense of humor. She had a great smile and an infectious laugh.

She is survived by: her husband, Gordon Jesmer; her son, Robert “Sonny” de la Paz (Mia de la Paz); step-children Josie Jesmer, Amy-Jo Jesmer Luna (Jeffrey Luna), Claire Patterson (Timothy Patterson); her grandson Rashard de la Paz and step-grandchildren Enzo Luna, Kayden Patterson, Gianna Luna, Kash Patterson, Nico Luna; her sisters Rebecca Hernandez and Lulu Escoto (Antonio Escoto) and brothers, Danilo Mangahis (wife Teodora Mangahis), and Romeo Mangahis (wife Emma Mangahis)and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues and friends. Zenaida is preceded in death by her parents Bayani Mangahis and Benjamina Mata, sister Herminia Savando and brother-in-law Ludo Vico.

A private Chapel viewing for Zenaida will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park - Gate 1, Memorial Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601. A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park - Gate 1, Memorial Chapel.

Flowers or donations may be sent to Rose Hills Mortuary at 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA 90601.