Marietta Balaoro Mercado was born Marietta Talledo Balaoro, on December 19, 1961 in San Juan, Abra, Philippines to caring parents Vincenta and Petronilo. She was their fifth child, welcomed by her brothers - Maynard and Charito - and sisters - Betty and Priscilla. She later became an older sister to Sonia. Her childhood was full of adventurers as she and her siblings explored wooded areas behind their home, swam in the river nearby, and picked berries along the local shoreline. She was lovingly referred to as Mayet, cherished by her family.
Her father, Petronilo, left for the United States to make way for her and her siblings to immigrate to the United States at the age of 9. Growing up in California she continued to love the sunshine life. She proudly became a US citizen at the age of 12.
Through hard work and determination, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Jose State University in June of 1988. After graduation, she served in the U.S. Army as 2nd Lieutenant working as a Registered Nurse on a Medical Surgical Unit in Heidelberg,
Germany. Her duty to country found her bravely serving through her deployment (Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991). Upon returning from her deployment, she completed the Perioperative Nursing Course at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington state. The U.S. Army presented her with many opportunities to expand her mind through travel. Marietta experiences the sights, the sounds, the foods of many places - Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, and eventually to the breathtaking island of Oahu, Hawaii.
Working in the operating rooms of the infamous pink hospital at Tripler Army Medical Center, a strapping young Army Operating Room Noncommissioned Officer caught her eye. Marietta’s shy demeanor and slick thinking led her to ask one of her coworkers, Mila, to ask Frank out. With a classic first date to the movies, their love story began. Marietta described Frank as a charmer who could always make her laugh. Frank remembers her fondly as a quiet yet intelligent soul who also craved adventure. Through his love and affection he dotingly nicknamed her Maya.
Their love led to a romantic wedding ceremony on May 16, 1994 with close friends as witnesses - Andy, Janeen, and Mila. They spent their first days of married life exploring on the island of Kauai. On August 9, 1994 they welcomed their first child, daughter Francesca. Motherhood was a dear gift that Marietta treasured. As Marietta’s time in the U.S. Army came to a close in 1996, her husband Frank continued to serve. Through his service, they found themselves trading the island life for El Paso, Texas.
Frank and Marietta’s family grew as they welcomed their second daughter, Amanda, on February 14, 1998. Then, a miraculous surprise came in the form of twin boys just 10 months later. Dominic and Brandon were born on December 16, 1998 (an early birthday present for Marietta).
The Mercado family eventually settled in San Antonio, Texas. Marietta worked at the Brooke Army Medical Center Institute of Surgical Research Burn Unit Operating Room. She cherished many coworkers who became great friends. Her lumpia, of course, became a way she showed them great love!
In January of 2017, the devastating diagnosis of Stage IVB Cervical Cancer created a great challenge for Marietta and her family. With great odds placed against her, Marietta showed us her incredible resilience! She made the hard choice to step away from nursing to start the greatest fight of her life. She fought with great strength through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries!
After every radiation treatment she decorated the halls of BAMC’s Radiology Oncology with her colorful handprints, and she fiercely rang the bell with great glee and a nod to the kick she just gave cancer’s butt. In between treatments, she spent time with her dear family and friends (near and far); she traveled to beautiful beaches on Oahu, Kauai and in Florida enjoying as many sunsets with her love; she proudly watched her children follow in her footsteps - Francesca and Amanda as RNs and Dominic and Brandon as 2nd Lieutenants in the U.S. Army; and she helped Francesca marry the love of her life while welcoming her son-in-law, Chris.
After a 5 year battle fought with great courage and inspiring faith, she was carried to her eternal home surrounded by her husband and children. Marietta was preceded in death by her mother Vinceta, her father Petronilo, and sister-in-law Josephine (wife to her brother Maynard).
Beloved Marietta is survived by her dear husband and the love of her life, Frank; daughter Francesca and son-in-law Chris, daughter Amanda, son Dominic, and son Brandon; her brother Maynard, sister Betty and husband Robert, sister Priscilla and husband Claudio, brother Charito and wife Gemma, and sister Sonia and husband Arthur; a multitude of nieces, nephews, and extended family; and many dear friends she has made throughout her beautiful life.
All who knew her were touched by her gentle spirit and loving kindness. We learned from her the value of hard work and determination. She taught us through her actions that love comes in many forms. Her most common way of showing love was through her selfless acts of putting others first. She reminded us to always check on the ones you love. She also showed us that being independent is not always a bad thing; putting yourself first at times is important. And to her dying breath, she exhibited true faithfulness through her expressions of trust in and love for Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior. We have comfort and peace knowing she is no longer in pain and is surrounded by everlasting love.
We will dearly miss our bright light who was stubbornly sweet, a witty jokester, a humble hard worker, a warm presence, and an incredibly brave woman of faith.
To those who wish to pay their respects and condolences - Marietta’s visitation will be Monday January 17, 2022 (visitation only 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm), Tuesday January 18, 2022 at 11:00 at Sunset Funeral Home (1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218). Chapel with the Rosary and Prayer Service to follow at 12:00. A procession from Sunset Funeral Home will take place to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for her Internment at 1:30 (1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78209). A light reception will follow for gathering, sharing of memories, and celebrating Marietta at Fort Sam Houston Golf Club (1050 Harry Wurzbach Road San Antonio, TX 78209).
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Hope Arose at https://www.hopearose.org/
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