Soledad Andres Parial

Stockton, CA

Soledad Andres Parial

Sept. 10, 1909 - May 30, 2008

Soledad Parial, 98, nicknamed "Choleng", was born in Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija, in Central Luzon, Philippines on September 10, 1909. Her parents, Marcela Donato and Feliciano Andres, were second generation members of the large Andres family whose forebearers were leaders of Santo Domingo-a close knit community in which they settled and helped build.

Soledad was educated in the town's public school system, then moved to go to high school and to pursue a teacher's program. She met her husband, Clodualdo, while they were both young school teachers assigned to the Santo Domingo Elementary School. They married after a year of courtship. They were opposites in terms of temperament and personalities, but complemented each other well as a couple. Clodualdo was intelligent, serious, disciplined and reserved. Soledad was free-spirited, sociable, a risk-taker, creative and enterprising. Their life was focused on raising and educating their children and preparing them for a life that would be better in all aspects than their own. They succeeded in supporting all their living children through college, despite their limited income. They were rewarded in seeing all their children become professionals who excelled in their careers, while also remaining loving and loyal to their parents. Their youngest child, Clodualdo Jr., was Soledad's anchor and best friend. He served as her primary care-giver and confidante during the later years of her life.

Until age 95, Soledad enjoyed gardening. She had a green thumb and anything she planted flourished. She out-shopped her much younger children and friends and always had a good eye for great buys. She traveled to Europe on a number of occasions with her children and grandchildren and visited the Philippines. Soledad maintained her good sense of humor, graciousness, and amazing spirit until the end of her life. She loved to sing Filipino songs and to socialize with family and friends.

Soledad will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother; a loyal friend, outstanding teacher, ardent gardener, lover of life and its adventures and a tremendously positive human being.

Soledad is survived by her children: Ruby, Corazon, Priscilla and Clodualdo Parial and Lori Adrian; her grandchildren: Sally, Nora and Guia Parial; David, Bing-Bing, Moses and Ylang-Ylang Parial; Frank Halcond, Jr.; Jason and James Adrian; nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clodualdo R. Parial; her children Elpidio, Victor, Mina and a still-born son; her brothers and sisters: Gregoria, Casimira, Bayani, Petra, Segundina, Luis and Isidro.

In honor of the wishes of Soledad Parial, there will be no viewing, and funeral services will be for immediate family. Soledad will be laid to rest in a lot beside her sister, Petra, in San Diego. DeYoung Memorial Chapel in care of the arrangements. Online guest book at deyoungmemorialchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donation to the Hospice of San Joaquin would be appreciated, 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95207-3888.