Antonia Tuason Del Rosario

Antonia was born on June 13, 1941 in Tayuman, Rizal, Philippines to Pedro del Rosario and Luz Tuazon. She was the second of the del Rosario children, preceded by brother Telisforo and followed by sister Aguida.

When Antonia was 3 years old her father, Pedro, passed away. Antonia's mother, Luz, never remarried and Antonia and her brother and sister were raised in a strict Catholic household. Antonia enjoyed growing up surrounded by her many first cousins and other close relatives and friends, many of whom she remained in regular contact with for more than 55 years.

After high school Antonia worked fulltime as a production worker in a textile factory. To earn extra money Antonia sold balut (developing duck embryo boiled in the shell), candy, and cigarettes part-time as an independent vendor. Antonia's brother and sister each moved away from home to start their own families when they were in their 20s. Because she was the eldest daughter, Antonia felt that it was her duty to remain single and to care for her mother, despite there being several suitors for Antonia's hand in marriage. Antonia never married and never had children of her own. Still, this never prevented Antonia from experiencing the ups and downs of raising children.

Antonia's brother Telisforo, his wife Nita, and their family remained in Pateros, Metro Manila, Philippines and Antonia enjoyed doing her part as a good auntie in helping to raise her nephews Armando and Gerardo and niece Cecille whenever the opportunity presented itself. Antonia felt that she had the best of both worlds because she was free as a single woman to pursue her favorite hobbies and activities such as reading and bowling while also enjoying the perks of being an auntie.

In 1986 Antonia moved to the U.S. to live with her sister Aguida, her sister's husband Feliciano Reyes Santos and their children, sons Ray and Fel, and daughter Lyn. The move reunited Antonia with her mother who had moved-in with the Santos family in 1983. Antonia lived as an important, respected, and loved member of the Santos family for the rest of her life.

Antonia enjoyed many years as Grand Auntie to one grandnephew and two grandnieces on her brother's side and to four grandnephews and three grandnieces on her sister's side.

Antonia worked many years as a production worker for several large companies before retiring in 2004. Before and after retirement, Antonia traveled to the Philippines, Canada, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Oxnard, and Los Angeles to spend time with cousins and with close friends whom she grew up with as a child in Pateros, Metro Manila.

In her retirement years Antonia enjoyed taking daily walks at the local park, taking care of a backyard orchid garden, and bowling as physical exercise. For mental exercise Antonia enjoyed reading books and solving crossword puzzles. Antonia's favorite activity was staying in regular telephone contact with her many cousins and close friends around the world. Antonia always appreciated receiving pre-paid phone cards as a birthday gift or for other special occasions.

A viewing will be held Monday, June 23, from 5 to 9 pm at Glen Abbey in Bonita, CA at 3838 Bonita Road. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 24, at 1 pm at The Little Chapel of the Roses located inside Glen Abbey Memorial Park, with burial service at Glen Abbey Memorial Park.