Corona Torres Balin

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Corona Torres Balin of Orangeburg, NY on September 28, 2025 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 22, 1941, the second of four daughters of the late Doroteo and Antonia (Isaguirre) Torres, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was predeceased by her husband, Ruben M. Balin, and sister, Phoebe (Michael) Anderson.

Nora, as she was fondly called is survived by her daughter, Aileen Balin Schad and children: Breanna (Tommy), Alexander, and Bianca Schad; sisters Urduja Torres and Celeste (Randy) Hernando and children: Pierre, Jandra and son Jamesy Terry, Tamara and Raymund Hernando; nieces: Dorianne Anderson and children: Phoebe, Deidra and Eliza; Gwen Anderson and nephew Michael Beau Anderson; cousin Sabas (Norma) Isaguirre and son Ira (Kristin Torrione) Isaguirre and children: Sabas and Nina; and numerous relatives in the Philippines, and her Balin brothers and sisters in-law as well.

After obtaining her college degree in Pharmacy, she came to New York in 1967 for further studies and experience in her field. She landed at St. Clare's Hospital in Manhattan, where she spent all of her professional life as an international student assuming various medical laboratory positions until she became head of the Clinical Laboratory Hematology Unit. In those capacities, it was most fulfilling for her to act as a mentor to students, and to share her knowledge and expertise with the medical staff while during patient case reviews, clinical audits and conferences.

The center of her life was family. In her retirement years, she loved doing domestic chores including gardening, interior decorating, cooking (while listening and dancing gracefully to her favorites, mainly Frank Sinatra) and sharing her favorite Filipino recipes, and spending quality time with her close relatives. She and her late husband, Ruben, and daughter Aileen, generously and selflessly accommodated many members of their extended families when they migrated to the Unites States, opening their home for a temporary stay until they can afford to have a place of their own. They will always be grateful for how she touched everyone's life with kindness and utmost desire to see them surmount life's challenges. Through the years, her home got filled with pictures not only her family's but also her nieces, nephews and their children as the clan grew bigger. It was her way of remaining close and connected to them everyday as they are now settled all over the country with families of their own. Some words of advice to her grandchildren, 'take one day at a time…see the world and achieve all the goals you have in life... keep faith and believe in God,' are words of wisdom that will guide them in the many years ahead.

Corona, as her name suggests , will always be remembered and cherished as the 'crown' of her uprooted family from the Philippines. Her dream to have her immediate relatives join her in New York became a reality, which made her life more meaningful and purposeful. She gave her all-out support to their cause under many circumstances in the best way she can. Her memory of significant family events and relationships never failed up to the very end of her life. She was able to recall names including ages of close relatives which clearly showed her love of family. She was level-headed and emphatically acknowledged everyone's strengths and weaknesses. She never complained about her condition whatsoever - perhaps, it was her way of telling people to be strong and never give up. There were no words of resentment either, but weak as she was, she said some words strongly : 'forgiveness... take care of yourselves… pray to God" in her conversations. Nora truly left an indelible mark in all lives she touched, and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Her family will be pleasured to welcome relatives and friends to celebrate the life of their beloved Corona on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm, at Moritz Funeral Home, 98 NY 303, Tappan, NY 10983. Mass at St. Catharine's Church, 523 Western Highway, Blauvelt NY 10913 will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10 am. Burial will follow at Rockland Cemetery, 201 King's Highway, Sparkill NY 10976.

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