Soledad Sedayao's Obituary
After a life dedicated to faith and family, Soledad Sedayao passed away peacefully at home on February 10, 2022 at the age of 94. She was appreciated for her hard work, dedication, and love. Soledad will be greatly missed by all.
Soledad Sedayao was born as Soledad Jimenez to Leoncio and Nieves Jimenez in the small town of Tagana-an in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. She was the second oldest and last survivor of six siblings. Soledad learned early how to work hard - she had to work her way through both high school and college. After graduating from St. Paul’s in Iloilo City, she worked as a nurse in a surgeon’s office for a few years. She moved to the United States in 1957 and began working at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey. Margaret Hague was famous for its maternity ward, and there Soledad started her long nursing career working with new mothers.
While living in Wilmington Delaware, she later met and married a US Navy man, Arnaldo Sedayao, in 1959. Being part of a Navy family, they traveled all over the United States, finally settling in Newark, California. Together they raised three children, Sheila (Madley), Michael, and Jeff. Sometimes Soledad had to care for the children alone for long and difficult stretches of time while Arnaldo was deployed overseas. Soledad worked at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward as a Registered Nurse in the Postpartum department, taking care of mothers after they gave birth. She retired after 17 years.
Soledad was very proud of her children. She attended and sometimes volunteered at their many activities. After they grew up and moved out of the house, she spent time gardening, travelling, and being active in their parish of St. Edwards in Newark. She and Arnaldo travelled the world, visiting Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. They often combined travelling with their faith, visiting notable pilgrimage spots like Fatima, Medjugorje, and the Holy Land. Soledad was also very proud of her grandchildren, taking care of them on occasion and attending their many activities when she could.
Soledad is survived by her husband of 62 years, Arnaldo, and her son Mike and daughter-in-law Norine, son Jeff and her daughter-in-law Susan, grandchildren Stephanie, Kevin, Kira, and Chris, nieces Frances and Laarni, nephew Cris Garay, and many other nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Sheila (Madley).
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