Althea Mortel Abalos

October 1951 – September 2026

Althea Abalos passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She was 74 just one month shy of her 75th birthday.

Althea was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose life was defined by courage, sacrifice, and devotion to her family.

At 28, Althea made the difficult decision to leave the Philippines for the United States, while her husband and two young children remained behind. She came with a purpose: to build a better future and create a path for her family to follow. That sacrifice became the foundation for generations to come.

Strong, independent, and adventurous, Althea was never afraid to experience life. She traveled throughout Europe, including England, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Germany, and cruised along the Rhine River. She also visited Canada, the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Closer to home, she loved road trips, camping, and discovering new places with her family.

Some of the best memories were the simplest. Her family remembers a winter camping trip in Colorado, seeing snow fall for the first time, and Althea plugging a rice cooker into the campground bathroom outlet so she could serve rice with canned corned beef. Wherever she went, she made it feel like home.

She had a playful sense of humor that could catch you completely off guard. Whether she was gardening or laughing with family, she created memories no one would forget.

Above all, Althea loved her family, and her love reached beyond traditional titles. She thought of her niece and nephew, Karreen and J Paul, as her own children.

In her later years, dementia gradually took away the independence and travel she loved. Through it all, her devoted husband, Noli, served as her primary caregiver for 10 years. His patience, commitment, and love kept her surrounded by the people who meant the most to her.

Althea is survived by her beloved husband, Noli; her son, Jilvee, daughter-in-law Paulette, her daughter, Nina son-in-law, Kristopher, her grandchildren, Ferdinand, Brooklyn, Emersyn, Kristopher Jr., and Noah; her niece and nephew, Karreen and J Paul, whom she considered her own children; her great-niece, Alianna, and great-nephew, Kean; her sisters, Ellen and Blithe; and her dear lifelong friends, Lourdes and Florence.

Her family will remember her as their trailblazer, the woman who took a leap of faith, crossed an ocean, and worked and sacrificed so those she loved could have more. Her legacy lives not only in the places she traveled or the life she built, but in the strength and love she passed on to all who came after her.

Althea often said that whenever you see a butterfly, it may be a loved one coming to visit. From now on, every butterfly will be a gentle reminder that she is still close.

She will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.