Obituary of Celedonia P,. Payawal

Celedonia Pobre Payawal, 92, of Salinas, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024. She was born in San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines on March 2, 1931. She graduated from Centro Escolar University in Manila with a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry. In 1952, she married Jose Payawal. She became a homemaker and managed many of the family businesses including a car dealership, a home appliance retailer, and a cantina. They went on to have 5 children: Cristina, Olivia, Jimbo, Shiela, and Billy.

In 1987, when her grandson Michael was born, she immigrated to the United States. She dedicated her life to raising her grandchildren, Michael and Julie Anne, while her daughter and son-in-law built their careers.

Celedonia enjoyed cooking classic Filipino cuisine for her family with favorites such as her famous pancit, pinapaitan, skinless longanisa, and asado siopao. She was skilled in arts and crafts and was a talented seamstress, frequently altering her granddaughter’s ballet costumes. She would be often seen at Northridge Mall adding to her tremendous fashion collection. Her favorite weekend activity was riding the bus to Chukchansi Casino with her siblings.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sebastian and Emeteria; her sisters, Norma, Mary, and Marcela; her brothers, Alfred and Rolando; and her son, Jimbo.

Celedonia is survived by daughters Cristina (Sisenando), Olivia, and Shiela (Reden); son, Billy (Vina); daughter-in-law, Josefina; sisters, Kay and Estelita; brother, Amado; and sisters-in-law, Annie and Brenda. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Michael, Julie Anne, Maricel, Maricris, Jennifer, Joel, Jackie, Gerard, Jules, Poco, Franz, and Nadine; 7 great grandchildren, and 15 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 12 noon - 6:00 PM at the Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Rd., Salinas, CA  93905

A Rosary will be said at the Mortuary Chapel Thursday at 5:00 PM.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held, Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Madonna Del Sasso Church, 320 E. Laurel Dr., Salinas.

Burial will follow at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas.