Dear Sally ,Rest In Peace . In my heart you are still alive ! I will cherish our memories together at work and in our CEU classes.  Thank you for sharing  half of your bottle of Pepsi with me , even a few spoonful of your lunches. Most of all your sweet smile 😊 .it always brightens my day! Farewell my friend! Till we meet again.😢

     Sally was the first person who adopted me when I came to America. She was very hospitable, kind and helpful. She guided me with everything that I have to & must do. I got depressed with the way things were going for me during that time but she lifted my spirits up & would encourage me, motivate me, comfort me all the time. She was the kind of person that will never give up on you whatever happens. She was always supportive.

     Thank you so much,  Sally, for being my best friend and my family. You are truly one of
a kind. I will never forget you. You shall be in my heart forever. We shall see each other again, in God’s time.

Sally was indeed a friend one can never forget.  We met through a pharmacist-colleague who had been a recipient of Sally’s and Benjie’s kindness of staying in their home. We went on to bond with them having in common faith in the Lord Jesus. Sally is exactly how her other friends see her and more – so loving, so encouraging, and so much fun! Yet, I admired her wise advices in the serious stuff of life. She was younger but I looked up to her as my “Ate Sal”.  She was not only knowledgeable about navigating life here in America.  She was likewise so mature in sharing her optimism and trust in God.  
Yes, she loved children, including my two kids, and she and/or Benjie were a familiar, constant fixture in our home as they would just pop in unannounced, “Good evening-anong ulam nyo?” We loved those wonderful times as we knew we could also do that vice versa.  Like family. No holds barred.
She was the first person along with Benjie that Aaron asked for moral support in breaking the news to me about a violent event that my children went through while they were away from us.  She was a pillar of strength to me at that time.  She had always been someone we could go to when we had some tough issues to deal with.  None more so when Aaron passed away 4 years ago.  Although we had not touchbased since moving away from Victorville for some years, we knew she and Benjie were always there for us.  She was always hopeful and looked at the brighter side of life which really helped me and children in our grief.
Now, I want to extend our sympathy and help to Benjie, and to her loving family and friends who surely miss her. I know there is that void in all of us right now that seems inconsolably empty but I pray that, as much as the following passages of the Bible had comforted me, you will likewise get peace and comfort in this: this is not goodbye, but a “So long, til we meet again on that Glorious Day!” The Comfort of Christ’s Coming  (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)

I met Sally in the Philippines back when we were applying for a job at VVCH. In September 1993, we came to the US with two other nurses and it was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Sally was a kind, warm hearted and fun loving person. We went to a lot of places and did a lot of things together. For years we even shared an apartment.  She became part of my family. “ My sister from another mother “. We had a lot of memories together. One that stood out was when my mom, her 
“ Nanay Floring “, had a stroke. We were in the emergency room talking to my cousins. My mom, who was sleeping at the time briefly opened her eyes then went back to sleep. After my cousins left, a few minutes later, Sally asked me to wake my mom up. I asked her why and she said the way my mom looked at us when she briefly woke up was different. I woke my mom up and started talking to her and found out that my mom was already confused. Within an hour my mom had a CT scan,  taken to the ICU, intubated and operated on. If not for Sally’s keen nursing instinct things could have gone differently. She was instrumental in saving my mom’s life. Sally had diabetes but she loved her Coke. My mom always remembers how Sally would bring Coke whenever we have one of our “ bonding time  “. The moment she enters the house she’d say “ Nanay, I brought Coke, you want some? “ She made sure she had her favorite drink.  Sally was full of love. She never gave birth but she had a lot of children. Among them is my son, her
 “ inaanak “ and my nephews. She finds time to be with them. Go to theme parks, the movies or baby sits them. Benjie and Sally’s house was our destination on Halloween. For years the kids enjoyed dressing up and trick or treating with their “ Mommy Sally “. Life is full of surprises. I thought I’ll grow old with Sally. I thought she’d see her “ inaanak “ go to college, get married and have children. But God has a different plan.  We love you and we will miss you “ Mommy Sally “. ❤️😇

Sally is my bff since college, my sister in Christ and a very dear family friend! She’s the godmother of my son and there were times that we travel and go on vacation as one family.I met Sally when we were freshmen in nursing at Brokenshire College,Davao City. We became close friends and bonded well to an awesome group of friends and  had  so much fun hanging out together though our studies were always the priority until we graduated in 1989, then we took and passed the board exam in the same year. We’re separated by  distance when we started working after graduation yet managed to touch base and see each other at times.Our communication didn’t stop even when I came here first, we’re sending letters with photos to each other until she came here and started working in 1993.
Sally has an amazing personality. She is sweet,kind,loving and a caring friend and the list could go on.She’s like a sister to me that I can call her even in wee hours to listen to my woes.You can pour out your heart to her without judging you.There were no dull moments whenever we talk.We share our challenges and victories in life and we comfort, encourage and pray for one another.I feel blessed and thankful to  God for our friendship. 
She fought a good fight and lost her battle to Covid 19 though assured of her eternity in heaven...and now rejoicing and praising with all the angels and ultimately healed from the aftermaths of Covid 19.It’s hard to fathom at the moment though I know and believe God has a better plan for her life and a purpose in everything.
So long my dear bff till we meet again one day... I love you and I’ll miss you more... You maybe gone from my sight but never in my heart... will forever treasure you and  cherish the beautiful and special memories of our friendship...
Our deepest condolences and prayers to you Benjie and the whole family...Be strong and praying for God’s love,comfort,wisdom,guidance and direction for you in this difficult time.


Our hearts are broken and still with moments of disbelief of what we heard about our good friend Sally. She is like a sister and has been a part of our family. We've known her for a long time and she’s a friend who is so kind,caring ,humble and happy. We will miss her a lot. She’s always there in our good times to laugh and celebrate with and in not  so good to encourage and pray for us.We love her so much. She was in our prayers since day one of her Covid-19 days and at this point we don't understand why it happened to her but if God allowed it, then God has a reason for all of this. Sally has been through a lot of ups and downs regarding her health and for sure  it wasn't easy for her too. But she is in a better place now and we know she is happy and proud that she gave her life doing what she loved most,CARING for others. Definitely she is our hero of this COVID-19 Pandemic. Brod Benjie  be strong and we'll continue to pray for you and the whole family. Take care... Dindo

Our last hugs together. You will be forever missed!

Family parties back in the 90’s . Apple Valley, CA

I am 11 years older than Sally so she was born 1968, I was tasked to take good care of her in the family. She calls me "Ate Linda" as a sign of respect. After she graduated in high school, she decided to take up nursing because she also wanted to be liked me. 10 years after she became a registered nurse. While I worked in the Philippines, I encouraged her to go to USA in my stead. She was then directly hired at Victor Valley Hospital while she stays with my in-laws. She got married to Ben. 

Sally really left a legacy of a vocation being an exemplary nurse. My dear sister, I am so proud of you!

Ate Sally, you never wanted to be old and you found ways to keep it that way. When you first came to the states you made it a point to call you Ate ( older relative/ or sister) not Auntie. So all I’ve ever known you as , was my cousin not aunt. You were tough on me growing up but it was all for the best but at the same time you were also loving me. You’ve always had a sense of humor and a heart of gold. That last we saw each other you were my biggest comfort, holding me tight and consoling me thru my dad’s passing. You had all the best things to say. Your presence and hugs alone were enough to comfort me during that time. You even came back the next day to share your favorite dip. And told me how to make it and brought me the packet and everything. Now every time I see spinach dip I will always be reminded of that day and all the love you gave.  We got to text here and there  between that time in January to the moment before they were going to intubate. I prayed for you to get stronger and recover from this. All I pray for now is that you are no longer suffering and are at peace in paradise with the Lord. As much as I wish you were still on this Earth. I know God has better plans for you and needed you more than us here. We love you so much and until we see each other again Ate Sally. Our prayers to Kuya Benji and all of the Solon family. 

Family reunion the most celebrated time of the Solon Family

she loves being with her cousins, nephews, and nieces

When she comes home after duty - General Santos District Hospital - Tatay and Nanay looking forward to see her during off duty time

Swimming time after hardays of college life

Phine, Cora, Boy, Inday - 20 February 2008 Holiday time

Our Mum when with her bundles of grandchildren and Inday

Enjoying the fellowship of the family, when coming home is not so often

Lake Sebu Family Reunion - Leandre Inday Boy side to side

Infront of the house farm - Inday and Nita, Inday and Tatay

Morning the day before her wedding day - beauty preparation - make up and all

Inday infront of the house in the farm with Nanay's garden of Orchids

Inday Sally's Graduation with Ingrid Tatay and Nanay

Family Picture - Inday was only 3 years old

Family of Solon Outings Jan Jan Cora and Inday

College Life Brokenshire with Nita and Inday

Cheeky Inday infront of our Parents House

The following Photos uploaded were a collection of all family members of Sally Solon Fontanilla from her early years and to the present.

     I’ve known Sally since 2002 when I joined St. Mary Medical Center.  We clicked right away as friend. As the years go by we became more closer and treated each other like family I even called her “ Manang” means “older sister”  in our dialect.
     When I had my first baby she was at my side to comfort me on my labor pains. She waited patiently till my Nicholas came out. She became his godmother. Sometimes I was jealous of her coz every time we hang outside Nic goes with her and they look like mother and son coz they had same resemblance. She just laugh at me.
     Every time we had service award at St.Mary we always go together. The last time we attended she was on her 20 years and mine 15 years. I even told her see you after 5 years. I  know it’s not going to happen anymore because now she’s serving God instead. He’s lucky He had a very good nurse to take care of Him.
     I will surely missed you my friend, my sister, my family and my partner in life. I will always cherished all the memories we shared . You are gone but you are always in our hearts. 
     I love you my friend and may Rest In Peace with the Lord.




I am the older sister of Sally:
Sally was the youngest of the eleven (11) children. She was loved by all brothers and sisters. This family photo was taken when she was three(3) years old. 

I came to know Sally in September of 1993. She was one of the three nurses I came with when we took the leap of faith and migrated to the States. Sally proceeded to stay with her relatives while the three of us stayed at my Sister Judy Fontanilla s place.
We worked together, partied together, celebrated birthdays together, slept together and the list goes on.
Sally was very soft spoken , kind hearted and the conservative one amongst us three at that time. She is the one that would hear you out and  listens without judging you.
As the years went, and our priorities shifted, our get together- parties decreased but we stayed in contact with each other. The last we saw each other was when my mom fell ill October of 2019, Benjie and Sally came to visit our mom.  Later she came to the house with Flor to visit mom while she was On her death bed. Mom still recognized Sally to her delight.
I learned  of Sally’s hospital admission  for Covid last week of July. Because of the situation we are in, couldn’t pay her a visit but sent her a text to let her know we were praying and thinking of her, to which she responded with a “❤️“. When I heard  they were contemplating of intubating her, I sent her another text to which she never replied and my message remained “ delivered” but not read. I figured she was already on a vent.
It pains me , as we feel helpless not being able to see and do anything for her but to hope and pray!
Sally, I will miss you !! Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend but I know for sure the Lord has better plans for you. Go and walk the streets of gold! We shall meet you on that beautiful shore! Rest easy! So long my dear friend. Thank you for the friendship and love.
To Benjie and the rest of the Solon family, our sincerely condolences!  We all join you to continue praying for the eternal repose of Sally’s soul.





OBITUARY

Saludacion "Sally" Solon Fontanilla

19 October, 1968 – 5 October, 2020

Desert View Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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