Victoria E. Mendiola

Victoria Eclavea Mendiola, our mother was born on August 26, 1929 in Tayabas, Quezon. Her parents were Pastor Ratera Eclavea (deceased) and Leonila Egamino Eclavea (deceased) were both school teachers in Tayabas. She was the 2nd eldest and first born daughter out of 9 children.

She was married to our father Melquiades de los Angeles Mendiola (deceased) and had 2 daughters…Menchu, the eldest and Cecile.

Our mother graduated in Luzonian University in Lucena City, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, major in Home Economics, minor in English. Her journey in life began when a distant relative referred our mother to that same school she was teaching.

Hoping for better future, she moved from Lucena City to Olongapo City and accepted a teaching position at the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, Olongapo City, Philippines. She was a U.S. Pre-School teacher from 1954 - 1988, almost 34 years. Her part time jobs included tutorial work for mentally challenged children; and “English as a second language” tutorial work for US Military Dependent Wives; selling Encyclopedia Britannica and Tupperware. Our mother represented a victorious life. With a very strong faith in GOD, very independent, and hardworking woman. She was generous and a good provider and she extended her support to her parents and siblings. She was a devout Catholic.

When we got stationed at the U.S. Naval Base Philippines in 1985 our mother lived with us although she and our father have a house in Olongapo. The following year 1986, our father joined his creator. Our mother continued working at the American school. I encouraged her to retire from her current job before my husband’s tour of duty ends. She agreed and retired from her job and migrated to the United States in February 1988. Still young and very eager to find work here in San Diego, I drove her around and helped her find a job at age 59. Unable to get a job in any school as an aide, I took her at the Navy Exchange Regional Center Human Resource, where I used to work as Computer Data Operator. There, she was hired to work at the Navy Exchange Laundromat for few years until it closed down.

She had traveled several places in the Philippines every time she visited Cecile and her family who lives in Manila. She wasn't picky eating but she loved to eat fish and vegetables. She enjoyed gardening and she loved to read. Her passion was reading romance novels by Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele was her favorite American Novelist. She loved to read Christian books...she had read the 365 Meditations with Pope John Paul II, Love is the Explanation of Everything, Pope John Paul II.

She had 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Arrangements under the direction of Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.