by Madeline Mendieta
On July 27, 2024, at the age of 89, Mrs. Melba Núñez-López gave her soul to the Lord in the city of San Francisco, CA.
Mrs. was born on March 4, 1935 in Managua, Nicaragua, daughter of Graciela and Eduardo Núñez. She was the oldest of three siblings. In 1956, at the age of 21, she emigrated to San Francisco under the sponsorship of her Aunt Lola, her mother’s sister. With the support of her uncles Lola and Rodolfo and her cousins Rolando, Elda and José, she began her life in the United States. After working for several months, she was able to save enough money to help her daughters and mother emigrate.
At the age of 16, she met Mr. Berman Zúniga in Nicaragua, and they married, having two daughters Elizabeth and Esther. Elizabeth Zúniga, the eldest daughter, was the wife of the famous Santana band member, Jose ‘Chepito’ Aréas, and with whom she had four children, one of them being the now renowned Latin jazz percussionist, Adrián Aréas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8e58DrRo5Q
In 1962 she married for the second time, in the city of San Francisco, to Mr. Jose Noel López, also Nicaraguan. Together with her husband, she raised five children: Elizabeth, Esther, Noel, Roberto and Yvette in a happy and loving home with principles and Catholic education. Mrs. Núñez-López was married for 62 years to her soul mate, José Noel. For many years she was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
Mrs. Núñez-López spent most of her working years at Bank of America until her retirement. Once retired, she stayed active by going to the gym, volunteering in Lincoln Park at the food distribution and at the Mission Dolores gift shop where she did such an excellent job that she was eventually offered a permanent job. She worked there for many years until 2020. She enjoyed traveling mainly on cruises with her husband. They visited different countries China, Europe, Mexico and Jerusalem which was her favorite.
As a grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother to several, she was kind, generous and known as “Mama Melba” she was the heart and soul of the family, according to one of her relatives.
Mama Melba was known for her strong character and her sense of classic style. Her home was well organized and orderly. She loved music and dancing. She excelled at growing all kinds of plants in her home. She enjoyed spending hours in her garden.
Her Daly City home was the place where five generations gathered and celebrations took place. A lifetime of memories and difficult moments happened there that will always be cherished. For her family, that home will never be the same without her. She will be missed by her family, extended family and lifelong friends.
She is survived by five children, Elizabeth, Esther, Noel, Roberto and Yvette; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; and her brother Eduardo Núñez. The family invites you to join us on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 4 – 8 p.m. for a rosary at St. Francis Chapel, Duggans, 500 Westlake Ave., Daly City. Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 60 Wellington Ave., Daly City.
The staff of El Reportero and its editor, Marvin Ramírez, extend sincere condolences to the grieving family.
