Trinidad Merced Ventura

A day after Ash Wednesday, February 15, 2024, "Nida" was called by our Lord and Savior into His bosom. She died peacefully in the loving arms of her daughter, Angie Blackwell. Trinidad lived a full life and passed away three months shy of her 98th birthday.
Trinidad "Nida" Merced Ventura was born to Rosalio and Margarita Merced on May 30, 1926, in Naga City Bicol Philippines. After graduating from high school, Nida extended her studies at Philippine Normal College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Nida became a teacher and taught at Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School for 30 years. She also earned a master's degree in education and became a Guidance Counselor at Benigno Aldana Elementary School. She taught at an elementary school in Tondo City for 15 years until she immigrated to America.
In 1954, Trinidad met Fausto Menor Ventura, and together, they had eleven children. She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Nida instilled in her children the love of God and prayer and she was also an ardent defender of her faith and the unborn.
After immigrating to the U.S., Nida returned to her passion. She became a substitute teacher and taught ESL to new immigrants. Nida sang like a bird. She loved to sing so much that she shared her gift as a volunteer music instructor at schools and churches.
Trinidad was preceded in death by her parents, husband, eleven siblings, and three children: Yolanda Reyes, Fortunato Ventura, and Concepcion Ventura. She leaves to cherish her memory, eight children: Lilia Parel, Consuelo Sims, Cesar Ventura, Agnes Blackwell, Joey Ventura, Grace Ventura, Arthur Ventura, and Irene Ruiz; thirty grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, two brothers Edmund dela Merced and Jojo dela Merced, six nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.