Obituaries

Our beloved Rosa Balais Manalo peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at the age of 96 years old. She was affectionately known to all as Nanay. Born in Lucban, Quezon in the Philippines to her parents Vicente Pavino Balais and Emiliana Villa Pavino. Married to husband Manuel Jimenez Manalo in 1959 and raised four children together until Manuel's unexpected death in August 1983.

Nanay was a kind and wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was dedicated to her family and faith. She loved attending mass, praying and had a passion for making rosaries that she sent to charities all over the world. Her favorite pastimes included playing piano, baking, reading newspapers and religious books, listening to classical music and her favorite artist Rod Stewart.

In 1945, she attended Tayabas High School, then University of Santo Tomas for her Associates of Arts. She then transferred to National University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy in September 1951.

Rosa and her husband came to the US in June 1971 and resided in San Francisco for a couple of years and moved to Oakland in the early 1970’s. She was employed at Brady Dentist in Oakland and worked in Alta Bates Hospital as housekeeping aide and retired on January 31, 1995. She was a church member at St. Jarlath’s School in Oakland and St. Edward’s Parish in Newark, CA and Holy Family in Kirkland, WA.

Rosa enjoyed traveling back to the Philippines, Europe and Australia to see relatives. She also would love to hop in the car for a scenic drive and enjoyed taking a train rather than a plane so she could enjoy the sights. In the 80’s, she explored the US by car twice with sons Ray and Donato. She truly loved being with the boys.

She is survived by her two sons and daughter. She was preceded in death by her eldest son Raymond, who is survived by wife Eve, with daughter Michelle, husband Kenny with daughters Kailyn and Mickenna, daughter Kelly and husband Paul with daughters Melody and Celeste, and son Raymond Jr. Donato and wife Josephine and three grown children, Jazmine, Jessica and Dean. Margie and her sons, Simon and Sean. Mark and Romina with daughter’s Mischell and Monica.

We will miss our dear mother, her smile, laughter and warmth. She was always a happy person and a very thoughtful, caring mother.

Lord have mercy on her soul and may she rest in peace forever in heaven.