Leticia Iglesia Mateo

California. She was born on June 26, 1939 in Manila Philippines to Patricio and Basilia Iglesia.

She was one of two children. At an early age, Letty found her love for gardening, cooking, and

baking from her favorite Aunt.

In 1959, Letty was blessed when she met and married her first love, Renato Gonzalez. It was

this time they welcomed twin girls, Rodita and Rolita. Their joy as a young family was met with

the untimely death of Rene in August of 1960. Having to tend to a family at an early age

bestowed a strong motherly and work ethic. It was her time in the Philippines that she worked

as an Elementary School teacher and tended to her twin daughters. She greatly enjoyed her

time as a school teacher but eventually her responsibilities for her family led her to immigrating

to the United States in search of employment and helping her younger sister, Pye in the United

States.

Having to work abroad and leaving her young daughters with her parents, Letty proved to be

resilient when she immigrated to the East Coast in the early 1970s. Her fond memories living on

the East Coast consisted of working for a Catholic Memorial Home in Massachusetts. It was

here that she learned to maneuver a brand new country on her own. During this time was when

she started a long distance relationship with her former work colleague, Genaro Mateo. They

previously taught together at _ school and Genaro soon obtained Letty’s address in the States.

Their courtship consisted of long letters back and forth and eventually a marriage proposal and

wedding in 1976-77. It was soon after they had their daughter, Amelia Mateo.

It was in the early 1980s that Letty and Genaro made their decision to move to California in

order to be closer to family and search for work opportunities. They made their forever home in

Southern California where they watched their family grow and prosper. It was at Orange County

that Letty had her long lasting career at the Orange County Register where she worked as a

Paste Up Artist. She worked at this location up until the millennium where she worked with

Genaro and extended family. It was here that she became known for her catering and baking.

Everyone rejoiced when Aunty Letty brought something to the potluck and she enjoyed doing it.

In the early 1990s it was when Letty became Lola to Cyril and Chelsea Calingo. She loved

spoiling them with toys and sweets. If Cyril and Chelsea wanted her homemade bread she

immediately started baking. Her love of being a grandparent brought her so much joy and

laughter.

In her spare time, if she was inside, was often found crocheting baby clothes and blankets for

those she cherished. If anyone was expecting a new baby Aunty Letty would immediately start

crocheting a welcome gift for the new arrival. In addition, living in sunny California allowed her to

indulge in her biggest joy, gardening. Living in Southern California allowed her to garden all year

round, whether she is planting her favorite Blue Irises in the front yard or a variety of tomatoes

in the backyard she always found spending time in the garden most rewarding. She always had

great pride when her Calamansi tree would be bountiful and would spend long afternoon hours

sitting in the garden enjoying the fruits of her labor.

Leticia Iglessia Gonzalez Mateo will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived

by her loving husband Naro, daughters, Didith, Lilith and Amy, and grandchildren Cyril and

Chelsea.