Irma Cecilia Moreno

Our mother, Irma Cecilia Moreno, was called home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of August 28, 2025, in Salinas. She passed peacefully in her sleep at the age of 90, her battle with Alzheimer’s complete and her mission on earth fulfilled.

Born in Del Rio, Texas, in 1934 to Ventura and Horacio Lopez, Irma was the second of six children. The family later migrated to Bakersfield as farmworkers. In 1966, she made her home in Salinas.    Fresno was also a home for a time, a devout member of the United Christian Church where she served as an Elder.  

A lifelong advocate for others, Irma followed in the footsteps of her activist mother. Over the years, she worked with the Monterey County Department of Social Services, Remedy Homemakers, the Legal Aid Societies of Santa Clara and Monterey Counties, the Monterey County Department of Probation, and Legal Services for Seniors. She proudly earned her BS in Social Science from San Jose State University in 1979.

Irma’s most fulfilling role in life was raising her children all the while juggling her numerous jobs.  Her children were her everything. She imparted her wisdom, her love, her compassion and taught them all the value of a hard day’s work.

Irma had a flair for style, always meticulous, always stunning, and always wearing a hat. She was a gifted writer who filled spiral notebooks with stories, poems, and witty reflections, leaving behind treasured words such as “Ruby” and “The House that Used to Be a Train”. She loved the theatre, participated in acting as well as writing a few plays herself.  She loved to sing.  Our mom also loved her garden, cultivating beauty and joy that she shared freely with others.

She is survived by her children: Fermin P. Moreno, Jr. (Glenda), Jose Luis Moreno (Susie), Elsa Sandoval (Joe), Nick Busane, Carole Busane Morgan (Michael), Anna Busane Stout and Robert Barragan (Aurelia); her sister Sylvia Martinez; 25 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Her beloved chihuahua, Lita “Puppy Girl” was her faithful companion to the end. She was preceded in death by her son Frank Rocky Busane, siblings “Lala”, Yolanda, Joe, and Ray.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

Our family would like to extend a big thank you to Carmen her Caregiver.

In our mom’s honor, donations may be made to Dorothy’s Kitchen, 30 Soledad Street, Salinas, CA 93901, (831) 757-3838.

“Joy comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5