Emerita Gonzales Balmaceda, 77, known to her friends and family as ‘Emy’, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2020. Emy was born on September 22, 1942 in Manila, Philippines to the late Aquilino Loren and Juliana Liwanag Gonzales. She was preceded in death by her parents and sons, Sean Edward and John Christopher Balmaceda. Left to cherish her memory is her spouse of 56 years, Reynaldo M. Balmaceda; daughter, Katherine Balmaceda Mitchell (Matt); brothers, Felino, Aquilino, Roberto and Jose; sisters, Josefina and Adring; brothers-in-law, Rolando M. Balmaceda, Efren Salinas; sisters-in-law, Clarita B. Salinas, Lourdes Balmaceda; grandchildren, Shaun Mitchell (Sarah Baja), Connor Mitchell and Addison Mitchell and numerous nieces and nephews.
After completing nursing school in the Philippines at Arellano University School of Nursing, Emerita moved to the United States and worked at Norfolk Community Hospital for 20 years. She then accepted a position as a Nurse Manager at Lynn Shores Nursing Home followed by many years at River Pointe Rehab where she retired at nearly seventy years of age.
Emy enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. Many television shows entertained her for hours and was especially thrilled when she began to be able to watch Filipino TV here in the states. She possessed a green thumb and loved all varieties of plants and flowers.
There will be a visitation at Smith and Williams Funeral Home at 4889 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462 on Friday, May 29, 2020 from 12:00pm-2:00pm. Funeral services will be private.
