Elay Duldulao Orpilla

December 3, 1926 - March 31, 2020

Elay, 93 years old, of North Tustin, California, peacefully passed away on March 31, 2020 at 9:23am. She was born to parents Fortunato and Jacinta Duldulao on December 3, 1926 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

Elay received her Degree in Economics from Far Eastern University in Manila. She married Dr. Samuel E. Orpilla Sr. in 1951. In the Philippines, she had a successful business harvesting and selling tobacco and rice.

Elay with her seven children joined her husband in Hawaii on May 20, 1967. In Hawaii, she worked for Reef Hotel, Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor and was a Realtor. She and her husband invested in real estate in California in 1970’s. They lived in Hawaii for 12 years.

The family moved to California in 1979. Elay worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District in the Accounting Department for 6 years and retired in 1989. Retirement did not stop her from working. She opened a business, a Board and Care Facility which she owned and operated for 7 years before closing it down to enjoy retirement life.

Elay was blessed with a large family. She and the late Dr. Samuel E. Orpilla Sr. had seven children together. Elay is survived by their seven children: Joyce Orpilla-Stool (Bruce), Atty. Samuel D. Orpilla Jr (Marilou), Eleazer D. Orpilla (Christiane), Nathaniel D. Orpilla (Tracey), Sharon O. Toledo (Louie), Lillian O. McCarthy (Terry) and Michelline O. Sullivan (James). Elay is also survived by her youngest sister Jovita Duldulao Pena (late Gaudencio), who is the sole survivor of the Duldulao family.

Elay has 19 grandchildren: Joyce Ann, Robert, Susan, Sashaunei, Samuel III, Jessica, Andrew, Stephanie, Carla, Nathaniel, Niel, Nathasha, Natalee, Jason, Tara, Shane, Leilani, Mikayla and Samaya, and 23 great grandchildren: Angelique, Ethan, Mila, Norah, Zane, Madelyn, Jonathan, Jordan, Kai, Nicholas, Neven, Nolan, Josiah, Viviana, Jedidiah, Reanna, Aidan, Axtyn, Azryn, Paul, Ava, Samantha and Michael.

Elay’s service will be on April 8, 2020 at 11:00am at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Her casket will be placed in the crypt alongside her late husband, Dr. Samuel E. Orpilla, Sr.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing rules and Safer at Home emergency order by the Mayor of Los Angeles, no attendees will be allowed at her service. After the Coronavirus pandemic, a Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

The families thank all of you for your condolences, thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow.