Obituary for Felina J. Holgado
Felina Jose Holgado, age 85, passed away on Friday, January 14, 2022 in her home in Columbus, NJ.
Felina was born in Quezon City, Philippines on November 28, 1936 to the late Antonio and Laureana Jose. She is the oldest of 4 children. After graduating high school, she attended Far East University for a year studying subjects related to law. She then transferred to the University of Santo Tomas to study nursing. It was there where she met her future husband of 33 years, Meynardo B. Holgado. After graduating in 1957, she volunteered for two years in Laos under Operation Brotherhood as a nurse. She moved to the States under a work visa where she worked as a nurse at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She spent 3 years there before transferring to Chicago. Felina and Meynardo were married in Chicago on January 29, 1962. When her husband completed his surgical residency, the couple moved back to the Philippines where Felina worked as a clinical instructor while pursuing her Masters degree in nursing. During this time, the couple started a family and had three children, Michael, Maynard, and Mont-Ray. Meynardo returned to the States when Mont-Ray was 10 months old. Felina followed a year later when she obtained her immigration papers. The family settled in Mount Holly, NJ where they raised their children. In 1971, Felina gave birth to Matthew who passed away shortly after birth. She was a full time mom during her children’s formative years. Later she worked as her husband’s office manager at his surgical practice in Mt. Holly. She was an advocate of exercise and spent many years as a swim mom for her children. She enjoyed vacationing at her home in the Poconos and later at the Jersey Shore. She felt a strong responsibility to share her Catholic faith and hosted a rosary followed by food and fellowship on the second of every month for many years. Felina and Meynardo retired in 1994 and spent their retirement traveling the world and RVing in their motor home. Felina moved to Columbus, NJ after the passing of her husband in 1996. She continued to grow in her faith and established a strong relationship as a supporter of the Monastery of St. Clare and as a Professed Member of the Secular Franciscan Order. She was most known for her devotion to prayer and for her spiritual guidance to her family and friends.
She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Meynardo B. Holgado; her son, Matthew Holgado; and her brothers, Ramoncito and Jose. She is survived by her children Michael, Maynard, Mont-Ray and their spouses Mooim, Patricia, and Leilani who she affectionately called her daughters; sister, Milagros Castro; and grandchildren, Laureanna, Sydney, Adam, Evan, and Donovan.
Family and friends are welcome to her viewing on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 6:00-8:00PM at Mt. Laurel Home for Funerals, 212 Ark Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJ, 08054, and her funeral mass the following morning, Friday, January 21, 2022 at 10:30AM at Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St, Mt. Holly, NJ, 08060. Interment will follow mass at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hainesport, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Monastery of St. Clare, 150 White Pine Road, Chesterfield, NJ, 08515.
Felina was born in Quezon City, Philippines on November 28, 1936 to the late Antonio and Laureana Jose. She is the oldest of 4 children. After graduating high school, she attended Far East University for a year studying subjects related to law. She then transferred to the University of Santo Tomas to study nursing. It was there where she met her future husband of 33 years, Meynardo B. Holgado. After graduating in 1957, she volunteered for two years in Laos under Operation Brotherhood as a nurse. She moved to the States under a work visa where she worked as a nurse at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She spent 3 years there before transferring to Chicago. Felina and Meynardo were married in Chicago on January 29, 1962. When her husband completed his surgical residency, the couple moved back to the Philippines where Felina worked as a clinical instructor while pursuing her Masters degree in nursing. During this time, the couple started a family and had three children, Michael, Maynard, and Mont-Ray. Meynardo returned to the States when Mont-Ray was 10 months old. Felina followed a year later when she obtained her immigration papers. The family settled in Mount Holly, NJ where they raised their children. In 1971, Felina gave birth to Matthew who passed away shortly after birth. She was a full time mom during her children’s formative years. Later she worked as her husband’s office manager at his surgical practice in Mt. Holly. She was an advocate of exercise and spent many years as a swim mom for her children. She enjoyed vacationing at her home in the Poconos and later at the Jersey Shore. She felt a strong responsibility to share her Catholic faith and hosted a rosary followed by food and fellowship on the second of every month for many years. Felina and Meynardo retired in 1994 and spent their retirement traveling the world and RVing in their motor home. Felina moved to Columbus, NJ after the passing of her husband in 1996. She continued to grow in her faith and established a strong relationship as a supporter of the Monastery of St. Clare and as a Professed Member of the Secular Franciscan Order. She was most known for her devotion to prayer and for her spiritual guidance to her family and friends.
She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Meynardo B. Holgado; her son, Matthew Holgado; and her brothers, Ramoncito and Jose. She is survived by her children Michael, Maynard, Mont-Ray and their spouses Mooim, Patricia, and Leilani who she affectionately called her daughters; sister, Milagros Castro; and grandchildren, Laureanna, Sydney, Adam, Evan, and Donovan.
Family and friends are welcome to her viewing on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 6:00-8:00PM at Mt. Laurel Home for Funerals, 212 Ark Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJ, 08054, and her funeral mass the following morning, Friday, January 21, 2022 at 10:30AM at Sacred Heart Church, 260 High St, Mt. Holly, NJ, 08060. Interment will follow mass at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hainesport, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Monastery of St. Clare, 150 White Pine Road, Chesterfield, NJ, 08515.