ABELEDA, ANITA FALLORINA Anita Fallorina Abeleda, 72, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 20, 2010, in San Diego, CA. She was born on March 22, 1938 in Quezon City, Philippines, and was the eldest of six children born to Higino Jordan Fallorina and Socorro Mapua Fallorina. Anita graduated from Philippine Union College (PUC) Academy (now Adventist University of the Philippines) in 1956 and interned in Emmanuel Hospital (Registered Midwife) in Manila. She also graduated from Fountaine Bleau Culinary School in 1958. Her father was in the film industry in the Philippines, so many opportunities arose for her to act as an extra. Anita moved to the U.S. when she married Eleazar in 1965. Due to her husband's military career, they lived in San Diego, Newport, RI, and Mayport, Jacksonville, FL where each of their children was born. In 1977, she received her cosmetology license and worked for Mr. Dave's Stylists in Jacksonville, FL; she maintained her license for 30 years, even after the U.S. Navy transferred the family back to San Diego in 1979, where they settled. She worked for Pilkington Barnes-Hind in San Diego for 20 years until her retirement in 1999. Anita enjoyed baking special occasion and wedding cakes as well as desserts and Filipino baked goods. She was always known to bring cookies, pecan tarts, or other goodies to parties she attended. She was very artistic and creative and took art classes such as painting, flower arranging, and macrame. She loved gardening and always tended to her orchids and African violets. She enjoyed caring for her grandchildren, going on movie-dates with her husband, shopping, and traveling. Last April, she visited long-time friends in Washington, D.C. and fulfilled her dream of attending the Cherry Blossom festival and touring the White House. Anita is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Eleazar, and their children Jennifer Ann (Leo Borromeo), Jeffrey (Wenda) and Joseph (Cheryl); grandchildren Corey, Mackenzie, Madison, and Elizabeth; mother Socorro; sisters Marita Fallorina-Rubio, Rosa Lopez, and Carolina Villanueva; brother Irlando; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. She is preceded in death by her father Higino and brother Ernesto. Services will be held at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego. Viewing on Thursday, May 27th, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Funeral on Friday, May 28th at 2 p.m.

Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on May 26, 2010