Estelita G. Ribay

Estelita G. Ribay January 15, 1934 – May 24, 2023 Estelita Ribay was born more than 89 years ago in the district of Novaliches at Quezon City in the Philippines. She had a stroke that caused paralysis on the left side of her body. In time, she became bedridden and developed dementia. She loved her home in Pacifica, where her eldest son, Edward, his wife, Mercy, and three caregivers took care of her. The last several years, she lived at Nazareth Rose Garden in Napa to receive more care and to be closer to her daughter, Cynthia and her husband, Jerry. Recently she battled infection, kidney stones, and gallstones. She was transported back to Nazareth in hopes of recovery. She passed slowly, peacefully and in comfort with Cynthia and Jerry by her side for the last few days of her life on May 24, 2023. She was visited by her loving sons, grandchildren, and family. She met Leoncio Ribay, Jr. when they were six years old in the Philippines. In time she married him on August 20, 1957. They were together for 60 years. Estelita was a talented seamstress and opened a shop with her friend who was a hairdresser. She made her children’s clothing in her spare time when they were young. In the Philippines, they bought and kept their first home and rented out the bungalows. Estelita and Leon moved to San Francisco in 1969 for a better life for their family. She was a quiet person but determined to succeed in life. She worked at hospitals and hotels on midnight shifts so she was home for her children during the day and Leon worked day shifts. Her sacrifice gave her back and knee pain. The whole family lived in a two-bedroom apartment until they were able to purchase their first home in San Francisco. She continued to work and invest throughout her life. She loved gardening, cooking, watching wrestling on the television, and thinking about how to accumulate more. The family later moved to Pacifica. She travelled to the Philippines constantly for many years to renovate and take care of their property. She was extremely ambitious and smart with their money. They invested in several properties in the Bay Area. Estelita was preceded by her husband, who passed away six years ago on February 20, 2017. She is survived by her five children, Edward, Robert, Cynthia, Daniel, and Ferdinand, their spouses, Mercy, Elaine, Jerry, Tess, and Christine. She had 17 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was strict, stern, and demanded a lot from all of us, but we all learned how to work hard. We will miss our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who was truly the Matriarch of our family. We love you and we will see you in Heaven.

Estelita G. Ribay

January 15, 1934 - May 24, 2023