Purisima Delgado Bella Pavlov

Purisima Delgado Bella Pavlov, lovingly known as Nina or Ning, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2024, in Gilbert, Arizona. She was 79.

Born on December 21, 1944, in Zamboanga, Philippines, during World War II. Her parents, Vicenta and Ramon Bella, protected her during the Japanese occupation while sheltering in the mountains for the first years of her life. Growing up, Nina cherished her modest beginnings, playing simple games with her siblings and living in a lively, close-knit household. Nina was the second-born and oldest daughter in a family of eight siblings: Rowland, Evelyn, Cho, Domy, Tommy, Eddie, and Eloisa.

A gifted musician, Nina excelled in playing instruments like the Bandurria and Piano. Determined to gain independence, she pursued nursing, graduating from Pilar College in 1965 and earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Paul’s College in Manila in 1966. In 1967, she moved to the United States with her best friend Victoria Johnston, fulfilling her dream via a nursing exchange program leaving her tropical island home and landing in Kansas City, Kansas in the cold winter.

Later, she visited her Tia Lydia in California and decided to settle there, drawn by the warm weather and family connections. While living in Long Beach, California, Nina met her husband, Nikola Pavlov, an immigrant from Bulgaria. As they both became naturalized  US citizens, they set about to live their American dreams. They married in 1975 and built a loving home in Garden Grove, California, where they raised two sons, Nicholas and Neil. Nina paused her nursing career to focus on her family, later returning to specialize in dialysis care, using her artistic gifts to empower her patients through education and providing excellent care.

Over the years, Nina became a cornerstone for her extended family, welcoming relatives to California and hosting countless gatherings in their warm and vibrant home. Known for her love of tropical fruits like mangosteen, mangoes, and durian, she also enjoyed frequent shopping trips and visits to casinos with family and friends.

In 2020, Nina and Nick moved to Arizona to be closer to their son Neil, his wife Jangmi, and their four grandchildren: Niko, James, Jack, and Naomi. Even while battling pancreatic cancer, Nina remained strong, caring for her husband through his dementia.

After Nick’s passing in June 2024, Nina cherished her remaining time with her family. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the very same loved ones she had spent her life nurturing.

Nina’s resilience, beauty, and devotion will forever inspire those who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love and strength that will live on through her family.

Following the memorial, a lunch reception will be held onsite from 11AM-1 PM at Gilbert Memorial Park. Afterwards, family and friends are invited to the Pavlov family residence for dinner and drinks from 4:00 PM onward to gather and remember Nick and Nina. Address and details will be provided on the funeral program. 

Flowers may be sent to:

Purisima Pavlov c/o

Gilbert Memorial Park

2100 E Queen Creek Road

Gilbert, AZ 85297

Service will be Livestreamed at the following link on December 7th, 2024 starting at 10:00AM MST.