Juanita Medel Manalo

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Juanita Medel Manalo, age 95, passed into the loving hands of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Temecula, California. Autie Pracing, as many of her close relatives and friends called her, was born to Emilio and Trinidad Medel on August 21, 1929 in the small town of Santa Cruz, Zambales, in the Philippines. The eldest of three siblings, Juanita lived in Santa Cruz until her marriage to Danny E. Manalo in 1956. Shortly after the birth of their first son, Danny Jr., in 1957, the family moved to the United States where they resided in several cities throughout their married life due to Danny Sr.'s naval career. She gave birth to her 2nd and 3rd sons, Larry and Theodore Manalo, in Omaha, Nebraska and San Diego, California, respectively.

Juanita found a career in sales for 10 years where she successfully sold encyclopedias for the World Book Publishing Company. When her husband retired in 1974, they moved back to Chula Vista where she embarked on a 20-year career at the IMED corporation as an assembler of medical devices. After her retirement, Juanita took on her new role as "Lola" and "Grandma" to her 7 grandchildren.

Juanita enjoyed frequent trips with her husband to Las Vegas, local casinos, as well as the horse races where she had a knack for winning, especially when she wore her lucky color red and attended on special days of the month. Juanita always attributed her success to her deep religious faith in God.

Juanita is preceded in death by husband, Danny Sr., her brother and sister, Federico and Flavia, and step-mother, Isadora. She is survived by her three sons, Danny Jr., Larry, and Ted Manalo and their spouses, Debra, Evangeline, and Maritess, seven grandchildren, Dominique, Danielle, Darcelle, Larry Jr., Jenna, Christian, and Sebastian, three great grandchildren, Kase, Lev, and Dauvia, along with her four half-brothers and sisters, Manuel, Moises, Nancy, and Carmelita.

While her passing brought sadness to us all, our hearts are filled with joy and contentment in the belief that her spirit has joined all of the friends and loved ones that have passed before her. May the cherished memories remain in our hearts and minds as long as we live.