Corazon Esteybar Gaffud's Obituary
Our beloved, Corazon Gaffud, passed away on November 17, 2022 at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, CA. She was only 45.
Cora was born in San Diego, CA on August 6, 1977 to Dolores Esteybar Gaffud and Exequiel De Leon Gaffud. She attended Mt. Miguel High School. There, she met some of her dearest lifelong friends and was even the school mascot her senior year. Cora graduated with the class of 1995 and started working at Pier 1 Imports in 1997 where she became the Store Manager for a 25-year career until they closed their doors in 2020.
During her time with Pier 1, she became a Store Manager at the most successful clearance store in the company. Cora raised money for Toys for Tots and the Susan G Komen race for the cure. Cora received recognition and multiple awards such as Store Manager of the Year in 2019, including a trip to New York for the highest sales of UNICEF Cards that went to help children world wide.
In 2003, Cora welcomed a daughter, Kairah Renee. Kairah was the light of her life. Cora always put her family first in everything she did and that combination, coupled with her charismatic and infectious personality, she brought light to everyone she met. Cora worked hard, laughed harder and loved the hardest. She was always the biggest cheerleader and truly enjoyed making everyone feel special.
Her colleagues had this to say: “Cora was the heart and soul of Pier 1. She was one of the hardest working, smartest, and best person I have ever worked with in my professional life,” “She had real heart, cared deeply about her customers and staff and gave them excellent care, loved her family and friends and was a great colleague in every way.”
In 2020, Cora was diagnosed with kidney disease. She subsequently struggled with other health issues at a young age which ultimately put a strain on her kidneys. Although deeply saddened by that turn of events, Cora kept working hard to support her family and always made time to be at family events or just find time to be with family and friends. Cora genuinely cared more for others and was the most selfless person you will ever meet.
Shortly after in 2021, she found herself at The Food Exchange as a Account Executive of Sales. Although her time with them was brief, she made a profound impact on the entire company. They will continue to cherish and miss her for all times.
Corazon Gaffud is survived by her mother, Dolores Gaffud; her daughter, Kairah Renee Gaffud; four sisters and two brothers, Elmer (Boyeth) Gaffud, Maria (Nenet) Limbo, Eric (Ricky) Gaffud, Elvira (Cathy) Talaoc, Racquel (Lina) Manalo, Victoria (Tina) Carrion, in addition to a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cora loved her family dearly. She was an amazing mother, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, colleague and friend. She touched the lives of so many people and had the most beautiful soul. She will truly be missed and will never, ever, be forgotten.
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