Elsa Eduardo De Belen

Elsa Eduardo de Belen, 73, passed away on July 27, 2016 in Gardena, California from an unfortunate accident while in a friend’s home attending Bible study. Although her passing is unexpected and a cause of much grief to many, she leaves a legacy of prayer, service and devotion to her family and friends whose lives she has touched in many wonderful ways. She was an only child born to Ana de la Cruz, a dentist, and Agripino Eduardo, a laboratory scientist, on December 6, 1942 in Manila, Philippines. Her father died when she was barely one year old, and as such, was raised solely by her mother whose moral strength, resilience, grit and faith in God allowed her to overcome the difficulties of raising a child alone. She met her first and last love, Renato, at 22 years old while in medical school in Manila. They immigrated to the United States in 1986 in order to provide the best future for their five children. On September 19, 2015, together with their five children, eight grandchildren, other family and friends, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, a true testimony of unwavering love and devotion. In addition to being a beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Elsa was a devoted believer of God and a steadfast follower of the Catholic Church. She devoted much of her life to prayer and helping others in need. She is survived by her husband, Renato, children Renellie de Belen-Gonzales and husband Rodolfo, Jonathan de Belen and wife Aurelia, Lorelei de Belen-Punsalan and husband Homer, Frederick de Belen and wife Monica, and Joel de Belen, and eight grandchildren Ana, Pilar, Katrina, Dominique, Timothy, Francis, Erica and Theodore.