Simplicia B. Rabanal

Simplicia Bado Rabanal, age 90, a resident of Delano for over six decades passed away quietly on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 of natural causes. She was born in Illocos Sur, Philippines to Felix and Fausta Bado. In 1955, she moved to Hawaii with her husband Silverio, where they had the first three of their four children. The family then moved to the mainland in 1960 and settled in Delano, California where their youngest child was born.

Mrs. Rabanal was preceded in death by her sister, Eugenia Bado, her husband Silverio Eliseo Rabanal, son Hubert Wendell Rabanal, and grandson Isaiah Marc Rabanal.

Simplicia is survived by her daughter, Darlene (Rocky) Wharton of Washington, her son Jesse (Linda ) Rabanal of Bakersfield, daughter-in-law Janet Rabanal of Delano, and youngest daughter Milagros Dart of Delano.

Grandchildren: Jessica (Patrick) Lim, Kristina (Colin) Duffy, Jordan (Frances) Rabanal, Evan (Ina) Wharton, Matthew Dart, Zachary Rabanal, and Taylor Rabanal.Great-grandchildren: Audree Lim, Julia Lim, Dominic Wharton, Tobias Wharton, Cecilia Duffy, Nadia Rabanal, Evelyn Duffy, Adalyn Rabanal and Isaiah Rabanal.

Employed as a farm worker, Simplicia was skilled in all facets of table grape agriculture. She was often asked to train new field workers, because of her many years of experience. Working in the table grape fields was difficult and physically demanding so Simplicia always told her four children to study hard in order to get good jobs and not work as a laborer.

Family was always important and when the opportunity presented itself to welcome a few grandkids into her home, she immediately took them in and raised them for a short time. Simplicia was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking adobo, pancit and of course lumpia for her family. You would always find her in the kitchen preparing, cooking and cleaning for special dinners. Each spring there was always a bountiful garden where she grew numerous vegetables, which she cooked into delicious and healthy meals for her large family. If there was a surplus of vegetables, she would gladly share with family and friends. Simplicia enjoyed trips to the casino and would always talk in length about how she almost won that ever elusive “Jackpot”. Another pastime she loved was crocheting doilies with fine, white thread. She always enjoyed the challenge of trying new delicate & intricate patterns. Prior to the covid crisis, Mrs. Rabanal enjoyed going to an adult day care located in the Filipino Community Building and participated in various games and fun activities as well as getting exercise. Heidi, along with the other adult daycare providers, treated Simplicia and all the other seniors with care and lots of patience.

The family would like to sincerely thank her grandson Matthew for taking good care of his grandmother during the last ten years. He was her full-time caregiver and always put her needs first, as well as being gentle, loving, and kind with her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delanomortuary.com for the Rabanal family. Services entrusted to Delano Mortuary, a Dignity Memorial provider.