Helen F. Andrade

Helen Foliente Andrade, also known as Elena Foliente Orbita, aged 78, passed away after a long struggle with lung complications on May 20, 2017 at 2:15 am at Kindred Hospital with her family by her side.

Helen was born July 31, 1938 in Laguna, Philippines and her parents are Mariano Foliente and Acacia Kamatoy. She enjoyed most of her quiet time by knitting, watching mystery movies, Filipino telenovela’s, and cooking delicious dishes. She was an outstanding piano player and was highly sought out by her family, friends, and coworkers to entertain them. She graduated with a BS Degree in Education from the Philippine Normal University.

In January 15, 1965, Helen married the love of her life Salvador Z. Orbita, SR and moved to Nabua, Philippines. She started out working as a typist/stenographer for the Nabua Municipal Trial Court. She eventually became an Elementary School Music Teacher for over 20 years. In addition to raising seven children, she also helped her husband run his photography business. She worked part-time as a professional photographer for a couple of years before immigrating to the U.S. on June 11, 1988. At that time, she started working as a caregiver for a nursing home in Milpitas, where she met our stepfather, Arthur Andrade and they were later married on December 29, 1989.

Helen loved a challenge…she always found a solution to a problem where most people would just give up. She was the epitome of an exemplary mother, martyr, and a true leader. She was very unselfish in her ways…she sacrificed her precious time to ensure the survivability and a lavish lifestyle for her seven children. To accomplish that goal she would work full-time as a teachers-aide; work at a Fast Food Joint; work at a Filipino restaurant; and on the side she would be a baby sitter and a caterer on the weekends.

Helen with her strength, will and unconditional love for her children was able to afford the college education for six of her children. Upon retirement she traveled abroad from the Philippines and Australia. She especially loved caring for grandchildren – Jen, Jhunell, & Jaslen - from her son and daughter-in-law, Jhun and Gloria Orbita.

Helen is survived by her sons, Gerry, Abner, Adonis, Joel, Jhun; daughter, Phyl; sisters, Fe, Girlie, Lulin, Rosalie; brothers, Jeremias, Generoso, 31 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 5:00 pm at the Little Lodge, Glen Abbey Memorial Park. Memorial Service and Interment will be on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 1:00 pm at the Little Chapel of the Rose, Glen Abbey Memorial Park.