Ofelia Mendoza Galario

In the evening of September 17, 2021, Ofelia Mendoza Galario, a beloved longtime resident of Watsonville, passed away at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. She was 84.

Ofelia was born on April 6, 1937, in Butir Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, and was the 7th child to Gregorio and Florencia Mendoza. She was happily joined in marriage to Mariano Sibayan Galario, Sr., on December 23, 1971, at Nichols Airbase, Pasay City, Manilla, Philippines. Ofelia attended school in the Philippines, and there she also worked in Manila as a yaya (nanny) before moving to Watsonville in the 1970s. After relocating to Watsonville, she worked at Nakashima Nursery, Pajaro Green House, and picked raspberries.

In her spare time, she loved cooking for her family, sewing, coloring, bingo, watching TFC (The Filipino Channel), shopping, giving treats to her grandchildren, telling stories, and spending time with her family. She will be remembered for her love, sweetness, kind heart, and generosity to her family and friends.

Ofelia is survived by her children: Marilyn (Sanny) Mendoza of Watsonville, Merian (Christian) Salazar of Manteca, and Mario Jr. (Glenda) Galario of Watsonville. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Denzel, Barron, Marykris, Daisia, Matteah, Makaila, and Mateo; as well as her siblings Justino Mendoza, 105 years old, Josefa M. Dagdag, 101 years old, Revlina M. Renion, 90 years old, and numerous families all in the Philippines. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 23 years, Mariano Sibayan Galario on May 27, 1994.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mehl's Colonial Chapel.

Published in The Pajaronian · October 6, 2021