Maria Simplicia Trinidad Balahadia

Maria Simplicia Trinidad Balahadia lived a generous and faithful life full of love, adventure, and purpose. An immigrant trailblazer, a natural organizer, a guiding star and second mother for many, “Auntie” Mary passed away in prayer and peace on March 14, 2015 in Tacoma, WA. Mary was born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines on June 24, 1943, as the youngest daughter of 9 children to Gaspar and Eugenia Trinidad. She was also a fraternal twin with Juan, who died shortly after birth. Mary later immigrated to the United States/Washington DC area in 1967 and married Agripino firstly on March 6 (before he was deployed on his ship) and later on November 7, 1970 in the sacrament of marriage. A matriarch to her Filipino American and Navy family, Mary and Al consistently lived by the ocean in Pensacola, Florida; Adak, Alaska; Honolulu, Hawaii; and for the last 32 years in Bremerton, Washington. In every community she lived, Mary loved to build her extended family around good Filipino food, storytelling, laughter and games. She was the “glue” that kept people together. Mary was a natural mediator, a great listener and a hospitable friend who made everyone feel like they were home.

Mary completed her Bachelors in Math from the Laguna Colleges and also recently celebrated her 55th high school reunion from Nueva Ecija South High Class of 1960. In the US, she continued to teach math initially, then later served as a purchasing agent, retiring from Fleet & Industrial Supply Center/ Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in May 2010 after 32 years of federal service. Coming to the US at the young age of 24, Mary’s love for travel and learning was obvious. She and Al made vacation memories exploring the Philippine islands, camping and road tripping throughout the Pacific NW, making a Holy Land pilgrimage, cruising the Caribbean and Mediterranean, riding sand dunes in Dubai, traversing the Panama Canal, rumbling through an African safari, driving a car on the wrong side of the road from France to Brussels and Amsterdam, seeing the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII and exploring Sydney, Australia on her last trip in Feb 2015. She also loved the little things as well-- tending to her flowers and garden, taking photos of sunsets, shopping for good deals, cooking for anyone who was hungry, planning parties, crafting projects and going to “University”. She lived life to the fullest!

But most importantly to Mary was her faith and her family. She and Al were married for 45 wonderful years and were blessed with 2 daughters, Alma (born 1971) and Aileen (born 1976). She was eternally proud of them and stewarded their commitment to hard work, servant leadership and giving back to their community. She also passed on her same spirit and tenacious drive with them both. Being there at each of their sacraments and defining moments of their lives, Mary was selfless. She also continued to support her family in the Philippines and exposed her children to that same innate connection to their ancestral homeland.

Later in life, that love grew even stronger when she became Lola to Arianna (born 2000), Solenne (born 2003), Marella (born 2005) and Diwa (born 2012) and gave more of herself than could have ever been imagined. She taught them to sing Bahay Kubo, eat sinigang, appreciate quality family time, and have compassion and loyalty. Her legacy and influence lives on in them, with her family in the Philippines, in the numerous godchildren she and Al were blessed to have and with her closest tayo tayo friends/kumares/kumpares. She also leaves behind 3 brothers (Eliseo, Venacio, Rogelio), a sister (Felicitas) and numerous family members in the Philippines. Our hearts ache for her as she is already so missed, but we know she will guide us from above in Heaven with God and His angels at her side.

Mon., Mar. 23 Noon - 8 pm, Viewing, Miller Woodlawn, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton

Tues., Mar. 24 10:30 am: Rosary, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 500 Veneta Ave, Bremerton

11 am: Funeral Mass, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 500 Veneta Ave, Bremerton

Burial immediately following at Tahoma National Cemetery - parking is very limited, please RSVP with family ([email protected]) if attending

6 pm: Funeral Reception, Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 500 Veneta Ave, Bremerton