Corazon Caspellan Palaganas peacefully departed on 5:30am, December 10th  2024 at home surrounded by close family in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Cora was born in the Philippines in the town of Agoo La Union in Pangasinan to parents Martina Javier Caspellan and Pablo Caspellan. She was the eldest child of five. After graduating from Holy Rosary Academy, she went to Far Eastern University and Saint Catherine School of Nursing, and then served as an intern at Saint Catherine General Hospital.  She moved to the United States in 1970 to work as a nurse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a Nursing Supervisor for the VA Hospital in Philadelphia for 30 years.

Cora reunited with middle-school classmate, Gerry F. Palaganas (1947-2024), in Philadelphia where they married 52 years ago. Cora and Gerry lived in New Jersey for 25 years and then later in Temecula, California for 18 years. In her retirement, she worked as a Nursing Supervisor for Southwest Healthcare System and Menifee Valley Medical Center. 

Cora, affectionately called “Mama,” was renowned for her social nature and hilarious comments, unwavering caring for others, keen intellect, public speaking leadership, and selfless dedication to serving others. She was tirelessly productive, constantly juggling work and friends and, of course, excursions to the casino. Above all, Cora was proud of her children and grandchildren and she served as the warm, welcoming comfort for both her immediate and extended family.

Cora is survived by her three children Gerry Jr. (and wife, Belle) Palaganas, Paul (and wife, Valerie) Palaganas, and Janice (and husband, Alex) Palaganas-Ramos; her six grandchildren Jayden, Owen, Jianna, Emerson, Colette, and Isabel; siblings Ruben Caspellan, Florie Delfin, and Dolly Grace Ramirez; and a host of very close and long-lasting friends and relatives who will miss her dearly.
A memorial service is planned at Holy Family Church in Sewell, NJ on February 22nd, 2025 @ 10am.