Rowena Factor Salonga

She died following complications from acquiring COVID-19. Rowena’s daughter, Ronica Arntzen, urges others to take caution and to -- please -- wear a mask, as her mother’s death was preventable.

Rowena Factor Salonga was born on April 28, 1968 in Cabanatuan City in the Philippines. A warm and friendly soul, Rowena was also a resilient and brave woman in the face of adversity. She was a working single mother in the Philippines who moved to the United States, ultimately becoming the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of North Florida, going on to work for the Florida Department of Health for over twenty years. Before her kidney transplant -- what she called her “second chance at life”-- she worked endlessly, often while doing dialysis, so that she could always provide help and support for both her daughter and her family back home.

Rowena’s commitment to education inspired many in her family, especially her daughter, Ronica Arntzen. Ronica went on to set milestones started by her mother in education for her family by earning her bachelor’s degree in English from UNF and a master’s degree in theatre from Miami University in Ohio. Rowena supported her daughter through her undergraduate and graduate studies, and even supported her sister, Mae through nursing school in the Philippines.

Rowena was a sentimental and family-centered woman; she loved various arts and crafts, especially scrapbooking special family moments. She even translated that love of crafting into learning how to sew at the start of the pandemic in order to make masks for her family members and friends. She used her prowess in the kitchen to feed all the people she loved, especially with her lumpia, which was unrivaled. Her smile lit up the room, and her laugh was infectious. She was a fun-loving and playful soul, with a sense of humor to match. She enjoyed singing karaoke with family during the holidays and cherished all of her close friendships -- especially with her childhood best friend, Chona McCain.

Rowena cared deeply for her family and a beacon of support and love in her friends and family.

Rowena Factor Salonga is survived by her daughter, Ronica Jhena Arntzen; her parents, Tessie and Roger Arntzen and Wilfredo Factor; her older sister Welsie Abundo;

Her younger brothers, Nelson “Jojo” Arntzen and wife Liza Arntzen, Whil “Jun-Jun” Arntzen and wife Pamela Arntzen, Christopher “Jay-Jay” Arntzen and wife Kathy Arntzen,

Her nieces: Arrian, Alyssa, Jonelle, Athena, Angelica, Asianna and Alexis Arntzen.

Her nephews: Allan Arntzen and Wife Jestine Ravelo, Justin and Jayson Arntzen.

Both the viewing and memorial service will be held privately due to precautions by the family in regard to COVID-19. Live streaming for the service will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at 10:00AM.

Please use this link to join us: https://ucmerced.zoom.us/j/3361952563