Born on the day that many celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe, she was born to the late Ruben Balan Mascardo and Florentina Lamangan Mascardo, on Dec. 12th, 1938 in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. She graduated from Kawit High School and the University of the East, in Manila, Philippines, where she received a B.A. in Commerce, majoring in Accounting.
She married Reynaldo “Rey” Celestino Toledo Ravelo, on February 28th, 1962 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Kawit. They immigrated to San Diego in 1965 as Rey furthered his role with the U.S. Navy. They lived together for most of their lives in San Diego, except for a brief period in northern California, during a time when Rey’s U.S. Navy responsibilities called a for brief relocation. She was predeceased by her loving husband in September 2009.
Zeny is survived by four daughters; Caroline Ravelo, of Fort Myers, Florida; Jocelyn Joyce Ravelo-Conde married to Dean Conde, of San Diego, California; Darlene Ravelo Abrenica of Temecula, California; and Yvonne Ravelo Crace, married to Jeff Crace, of Temecula, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren Juliana Conde, Alexis Conde, Jessica Crace, Alyssa Crace, Joshua Abrenica and Mikayla “KK” Abrenica and her siblings Ed Mascardo, married to Linda Flores and Sery Mascardo, married to June Fields. She was predeceased by her brother Ruben “Jit” Jr. married to Divinia Luna Mascardo.
Zeny was a successful saleswoman, who started her career selling handmade pillows and cosmetics to help support her growing family. She moved on to sell home decorations and nutritionals. Then finally, she made the successful move into the world of real estate sales.
She volunteered as a community leader in various organizations, including the Kawitenos of Southern California (San Diego), the Filipino-American Association of San Diego, North County, and the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO), to name a few. She was the former director of the Aguinaldo Foundation, which she co-founded. She supported PASACAT, a San Diego based Philippine dance company, and Maria Clara de Pilipinas Society, which her daughters Caroline and Joyce were members. In 1977, she was crowned Mrs. Philippines of San Diego County, which she was very honored to receive.
In the early ‘70’s, Zeny and Rey purchased their first home in the Imperial Beach. Her children attended Silver Wing elementary school, where she was an active member of the PTA. There she helped create a program where children learned about the food, culture and dance of the Philippines. In 1977, the family relocated to Mira Mesa, as neighborhoods and new schools were established. She helped to form a children’s choir at her parish of Good Shepard Catholic Church, enrolling many friends from the community. In 1979, her family relocated to Rancho Penasquitos, where she was a parishioner and adult choir director at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic, which she sustained until a few years ago. A couple years ago, Zeny moved to Canyon Hills Home Care in Escondido, where she enjoyed the loving care and support led by Aurora Ong.
Earlier in her young life in the Philippines, known for her natural singing voice, Zeny won 1st place in a singing competition and scholarship with Jovita Fuentes, a well-known Filipina soprano soloist and voice teacher. When judges and instructors asked about her singing voice, she informed them that she was never trained to sing, and that she simply sang naturally. They instructed her that she did not need professional training but asked her to promise to continue singing so as to maintain the gift she was divinely given. She consistently performed throughout her community at various events. In one of her favorite roles, Zeny performed in the role of the singing Virgin Mary during local Christmas Eve pageants, known as “Maytinis”. She would later introduce this Christmas tradition to the next generation of Filipino families in San Diego County.
Throughout her life, it was her Catholic faith, and love of Our Lord that provided strength and the foundation for the challenges and joys in her life. In return, she offered her natural gifts in service to sing, pray fervently and proclaim her faith to all who were open to receiving her message. Her legacy to family and friends are built on this foundation, and for this she was well blessed.
Rosary and viewing ceremony will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at El Camino Memorial Park Mortuary, located at 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, in Sorrento Valley, San Diego, CA 92121
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, located at 13541 Stoney Creek Road, in Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego, CA 92129. The burial will follow at 12:30pm at El Camino Memorial Park, then a reception in the main hall.
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