Antonia was born on April 15, 1923 in Murcon, Llanera Nueva Ecija to Teodora and Mariano Salum. She was the youngest of five siblings, Magdalena, Genoeva, Honorata and Panfilo. She started primary and intermediate school at Tarlac Elementary then attended Nueva Ecija High School in Cabanatuan City. She majored in Education at the National University, Philippine Statesman College and Arellano University. In 1949, she earned her Elementary Teachers Certificate. She transferred to Philippine Wesleyan College where she completed her Bachelors of Science in Education in 1954. She also took graduate courses at the same college, which qualified her to be a school principal.
She started her career in 1954 as a teacher at Gen Luna Elementary School. She worked her way to being a principal of San Felipe Elementary School. When she retired in 1981, she came to the United States to join her husband, US Army PFC, Rafael Olivares. They settled in Delano, CA where Antonia took on a postion at Grimway Farms. Although they did not have children together, she had an adopted daughter, Marilou (Odette), in the Philippines. She also helped raise her nieces and nephews and loved each of them like her own children. Her husband, Rafael “Paeng”, passed away on November 25, 1996.
Antonia was a very generous and philanthropic woman who always helped without hesitation. She was very friendly and loved to socialize with the other women in the Delano Community and was an active member of the Delano Women’s League. She was also a very religious person and attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Church where she was an active member. “Mommy” as she is called by her nieces, nephews and friends loved flowers and gardening. She also liked sports and politics. She was very independent and drove around town until she was unable. She is survived by her cousin Rory, several nieces and nephews, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Antonia passed away on February 26, 2018, in Bakersfield, CA. She was loved by everyone and will be truly missed. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delanomortuary.com for the Olivares family. Services entrusted to Delano Mortuary, a Dignity Memorial Provider.
