Nellie B. Chan

Manuela “Nellie” B. Chan was born in Ermita, Manila Philippines on August 19th, 1938 to Josefa and Victoriano Bautista, and was baptized at the Singalong Catholic Church in Manila. She attended Epifanio Elementary School and later Araullo High School. She graduated from De Ocampo Memorial College in Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

She came to the United States through the Nursing Exchange Program and worked at St. Barnabas Hospital in Newark, NJ then relocated to Livingston, NJ when St. Barnabas Hospital moved. She met her husband Henry, a submarine sailor, while he was visiting his cousin who happened to be working at the same hospital. After that, Henry went to visit Nellie, instead of his cousin.

On May 22, 1965 Nellie and Henry got married and spent their honeymoon in Niagara Falls. They moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when Henry was stationed there. Nellie worked at St. Agnes Hospital in Philadelphia. At the US Naval Hospital on November 15, 1965 her first son Ty was born .

Due to a change in duty station, they moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1967 and stayed there for 3 years.

In 1970, after a change in duty station to San Diego, they bought a home and Nellie worked as head nurse at Frederica Manor Convalescent Center in Chula Vista, California and also at Friendship Manor in National City, California. On May 28, 1971, Victor was born.

In 1975, another change of duty station had them move to Olongapo, Philippines. There, she did not work outside of the home, but took care of the children and kept in touch with relatives while Henry was out to sea. During this time, Nellie went to Alaminos & Mabini Pangasinan; The hometown of her parents. This was her first visit since she was born.

Her husband filed for retirement and they moved back to San Diego after serving in the Navy for 21 years. She worked in the Orthopedic Ward at Paradise Valley Hospital in National City, California, then at Balboa Naval Hospital where she was a GS9 Civil Servant. In 1990, she had a heart attack while working. Luckily for her she was working at Balboa Naval Hospital, so all they did was wheel her to the emergency room. Angioplasty was performed where it was later determined that she had 90% blockage. After recovering, she went on disability retirement.

She joined the Plaza Bonita Mall Clubwalk which was sponsored by Paradise Valley Hospital for Rehab. There she met lots of very nice people and friends. She and her husband have been members of Clubwalk for over 20 years.

She was blessed to have 6 grandchildren whom she loved very much.

Gabriel Chan – Age 15

Chandler Chan – Age 14

Sarah Chan – Age 12

Serenah Chan – Age 12

Elijah Chan – Age 11

Dorian Chan – Age 3

Arrangements under the direction of Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.