Melanie Balbin

Melanie Absalon Balbin, 71 from Everett, WA passed away quickly from lung cancer due to EGFR genetic mutation in Kirkland, WA on February 5, 2026. She was surrounded lovingly with family when she passed away.

She was born on July 2, 1954, in Quezon City, Philippines, to Florina Avellano Absalon and Lutgardo Absalon. Growing up, she loved all kinds of animals (cats, dogs, turtles, monkeys) and enjoyed listening to classical music and artists such as ABBA, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. She enjoyed playing the piano with her siblings growing up. She studied at Araneta University in the Philippines and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business. She immigrated to Maryland, USA with her parents and siblings in the late 1970s. In Maryland, she worked in an office as a data entry operator for a couple of years.

In 1980, she married Emiliano Balbin Jr., and they had two children: Maureen, born in 1985 and Mark, born in 1990. In 1987, she relocated to Washington State with Emiliano and Maureen. Shortly after, her son Mark was born.

She became a certified nursing assistant (CNA) because she wanted to take care of elderly people and to spend more time with her children, Maureen and Mark. She was a CNA for many years before she retired. She had a deep affection for cooking and preparing food for her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandchildren, making sure they were always fed every time they came to the house. Her interests included shopping, watching movies, and going on road trips with her family. Her favorite road trips were to The Grotto in Portland, Ocean Shores, Port Townsend, Bellingham, and La Push. She loved animals and adored her cat, Daisy. She loved reading books, especially Catholic and Christian books. She was extremely religious and faithful. She loved taking care of her granddaughters, Audrey and Lianna, and was excited to meet her new grandchild. She would sing "You Are My Sunshine" to Maureen, Mark, Audrey and Lianna, which her father had sung to her as a child. Melanie was very generous, kind, caring, joyous, funny and hard working.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, younger brother, and cat Meelo and Noah. She is survived by her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, two granddaughters, one grandchild on the way, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, in laws, and her cat Daisy and her grand-cats and grand-dogs.

A Viewing will be held on February 27, 2026, from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM at Barton Family Funeral Services 11630 Slater AVE NE #1A in Kirkland, WA. A Funeral and Mass will be held on February 28, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Saint John Mission 829 3rd St in Mukilte, WA. A Graveside Service will be held on February 28, 2026, at 02:30 PM at Holyrood Cemetery 205 NE 205th ST in Shoreline, WA.