Marietta Abando Greenlee's Obituary
Marietta Bartulaba Abando Greenlee passed peacefully on January 24, 2026, at the age of 83, in Fremont, California. Born on May 8, 1942, in Manila, Philippines, she was the cherished eldest daughter of Tito Arsenal Abando and Anatalia Perez Bartulaba-Abando. Marietta earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemical Engineering in FEATI College in Manila, yet her heart led her towards a career in child development. She obtained her teaching credential from Adamson University in Manila and served as a Kindergarten teacher at Buting Elementary School in Pasig, retiring from her teaching profession in 1978. After immigrating to the United States in 1985, she continued her life of service as a Certified Nursing Assistant, caring for patients at Hill Haven Convalescent Hospital in San Francisco and Kindred Rehabilitation Center in San Leandro until her retirement at age 62. Marietta was a gentle, compassionate soul who loved deeply and without reservation—especially her beloved cats, whose presence filled her days with comfort and joy. Greeting her at heaven’s gate, finally reunited are her four dear late sisters, Zenaida, Erlinda, Edna, and Carmelita, and with her cherished feline companions who meant so much to her: Kidlat, Snowballs, Daisy, Charlie, Smokey Joe, Goldie, Jackpot, Lulu, and Lucia. Marietta was very passionate about education and her many hobbies, but nothing shone brighter than her devotion to her family and the deep love she shared with her husband. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Norman B. Greenlee; her sister Ofelia; her brothers Ernesto, Tito Jr., and Ramon Sr.; her beloved children and their spouses Antonietta and Ronald, Jeffrey and Maria, and Glorietta and Edwin; and her grandchildren Renzel, Destiney, Jaeden, Rowin, Samantha, Kaylee, and Natalie. Her legacy of love lives on through them all. The lyrics of Frank Sinatra’s My Way reflected her spirit:
“I've loved, I've laughed and cried I've had my fill, my share of losing And now, as tears subside I find it all so amusing To think I did all that And may I say, not in a shy way Oh, no, oh, no, not me I did it my way”
Marietta lived a life rich in love, service, and grace—and she lived it, unmistakably, her way.
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