Rosalina Jacob Mena

On Sunday, September 13, 2020, we lost a wonderful woman, Rosalina J. Mena, who passed away at age 69. “Lina”, as she was affectionally nicknamed, was born on May 13, 1951, in Daraga Albay, Philippines to Leodegario and Natalia Mena. She was the youngest out of nine children; her brothers and sisters: Bibencia, Isidro, Francisco, Celerino, Natividad, Leticia, Elmer, and Alfredo. At a very young age, she came to live with our family, Delfin and Erlinda Castro, and my brothers: Joe, Danny, Albert, and I, Jenn Hines, to help take care of us since my eldest brother was just a baby. Then, she made the courageous decision to emigrate from the Philippines to the U.S. back in 1979 with our family. She was like a second mother to my brothers and I; and during her lifetime, she was a caregiver and friend, not only to our family, but to all her friends she made over the years. In the 80’s, Lina was the ‘neighborhood’ babysitter in our old neighborhood in Kettering, Largo, MD; making “meryenda” (snack) and looking after kids running around before or after school. After my brothers and I grew up, she continued her caregiving skills, looking after the elderly by working at an assisted living home for many years until her retirement. Even after so many years of service, she was gracious enough to agree to helping me take care of my two sons, Ethan and Logan. She was like another “Lola” (grandmother) to them, as well as to my niece and nephew, Daisy and Dean Castro, respectively. They loved her so much and she loved them back as much as my brothers and I did. Lina loved cooking and baking; cooking siopao and her yummy pancit and Filipino desserts. She truly valued and enjoyed spending time with her dear friends, who loved playing bingo and getting dressed up during birthdays and holidays. She never missed reminding us of our birthdays and key holidays, acting as the “glue” for our family and ensuring that we continued our family traditions and gatherings. She also loved watching soap operas, American and Filipino Teleseryes, which I learned to love, too. She was known for her caring and generous spirit, her stubbornness, and her willingness to help a friend and family whenever they needed it. Lina was preceded in death by her father, Leodegario, her mother, Natalia, her brothers and sisters: Bibencia, Isidro, Francisco, Celerino, Natividad, Leticia, and Alfredo. She is survived by her elderly brother, Elmer, and her niece, Jocelyn Olarte and Salvador Olarte, who she held a close relationship; and other cousins, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 25th, 2020 at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 12:00 p.m. Flowers or donations may be sent directly to St. Pius X Catholic Church at 3300 Moreland Place Bowie, MD 20715. Alternatively, donations can be made to support the American Heart Association at https://www2.heart.org/.

Rosalina Jacob Mena

May 13, 1951 - September 13, 2020