Eleanor Alda

Eleanor "Ellie" Alda, 88, of Tiffin passed away peacefully, on September 21, 2022 at her home in Tiffin, Ohio. She was born May 23, 1934 in Cebu City, Philippines the daughter of Epifanio and Rebecca (Cochiengeo) Mabalay.

Under her unassuming small stature and frame, you would never have guessed that Ellie was a superhero. A superhero who was strong, determined, smart, beautiful, faithful, and loving. Using her powers to become the Matriarch of a family whom she built, grew, and protected with her God given abilities. Only a few knew of her special identity and those that did, knew her as “Lula the Legend”. Her strength came from her faith in God. A devout Catholic, she prayed daily for her family to have a beautiful life. During her adolescent years she endured the occupation of Japan while in the Philippines. Many atrocities were committed towards the Filipino people, but Ellie was able to endure. Knowing her strength and determination early, she entered college into a field dominated by men and pursued a degree in Civil Engineering. She achieved her degree from the Cebu Institute of Technology in 1956. Later, using her gifts of hard work and knowledge she also obtained degrees as a Medical Laboratory Technician and a Pharmacist, all the while having a family.

Her family would begin with the marriage to Rousseau “Russ” on June 6, 1959, in Cebu City. Having the gifts of insight and foresight, it was clear that the political environment in the Philippines was too dangerous for her family. The two began the process of immigration and citizenship in the United States, to allow her family a better life in a safe environment and where the opportunities were plenty. In the fall of 1971, pregnant, and with 4 children under age eleven, Russ left his family in the Philippines and came to America to create the framework for a new life. Over a year later in December of 1972, she along with her now 5 children would cross the Pacific Ocean and cross thousands of miles from San Francisco to Tiffin to be reunited with Russ. A journey that she would complete on her own, in a land that she did not know, and language barriers that would seem impossible to most non-superheroes.

During her early years in the states, she would often work two jobs to be able to help provide a home, a Catholic education, and the supplies to allow her children to thrive. She sacrificed pleasures, to work 14 hours a day and often 6-7 days a week and forgo many luxuries such as going out to dinner and having fancy and new things. It would be her Lab Tech degree that allowed her to provide for her family for nearly 37 years until the age of 81 when she retired. She had worked at Tiffin Mercy, The Bellevue Hospital, and North Coast Clinical Lab, where her skill set of being able to draw even the toughest venipuncture gave her a reputation of being the best blood drawer around. To her family, she was always the rock, the glue, the cement, and the iron that held the family together. To everyone else, she was always the one who gave you a kiss, a hug, and a smile to all who encountered her.

Her early 80s were spent battling ovarian cancer. After having beaten cancer, at the age of 85, her adventurous spirit brought her back to the Philippines with grandchildren to swim the oceans with turtles, zipline over a 300-foot gorge, and parasail with her granddaughter over 100 feet in the air. Returning home, she cared for her ailing husband whom they celebrated 61 years of wedding bliss. Visiting with him daily at Autumnwood, she would greet the residents and staff with hugs, prayers and her wonderful smile. Ellie always said she wanted to skydive for her 90th birthday, now she won’t need a plane to fly her to the skies, she can use her wings from heaven to visit her family anytime. For now, she will enjoy being reunited with her husband Russ in heaven. There, like they did 50 years ago after traveling to America will now begin their new life together in Heaven with God the Father. Now, she will help her family from above given her new superpowers of flying with the wings she has obtained.

She is survived by 4 sons: Rossini Alda, Rother (Sally) Alda, Rouyn Alda, and Dr. Rugen (Hollie) Alda; daughter, Earlynne (John) Rom; 13 grandchildren: Rachel, Madison, Hunter, Sydney, Ryan, Leah, Cameron, Courtney, Jared, Hudson, Noah, Gabriel, and Hope; and 4 great grandchildren: Barrett, Brewer, Paxton and Nora.

Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

Friends will be received on Thursday, September 29, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue.  A memorial Mass will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 85 S. Sandusky Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 101 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883.  

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com

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