Zenaida G. Oades

A memorial service will occur Monday, January 16, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A committal service for Zenaida will be held Monday, January 16, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. A reception will occur Monday, January 16, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Oades family.

From the time she was born on May 4, 1938, Zenaida showed a deep concern for others. She was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her. She was raised in the Philippines with three siblings by parents Vicente and Librada. She had two brothers, Renato and Roberto, and one sister, Rita.

A good student who was enthusiastic about learning, Zenaida was considered by many to be a high academic achiever. She graduated from University of the Philippines High School in 1954 as a Valedictorian. Zenaida earned her B. S. Degree in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines. After earning her bachelors degree, Zenaida received a Fulbright Fellowship and perused a Masters degree at the University of Kansas Chemistry Department, then on to teaching Organic and Food Chemistry at Cornell University, post graduate study in Textile Chemistry at Clemson University, then on to pursue her PhD at the University of Hawaii.

All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Zenaida was able to bond with her children and grandchild. Zenaida was always a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential. Zenaida was blessed with two sons, Kahuku and Krizpin, who followed her lead by pursuing careers in the sciences for Kahuku, and a masterful chef for Krizpin where he could explore chemistry concepts in the culinary arts. She was also blessed with one grandchild, Joaquin.

Zenaida projected a subtle but positive influence in her workplace. She was comfortable working behind the scenes to help everyone get their job done, she worked hard at all times to help others to reach their highest potential, but wasn’t one to seek out personal recognitions. She was an innovator who worked well independently, possessed excellent insight, and she enjoyed the task of meeting a constant array of challenges. Her primary occupation was medical research scientist. She was employed for over 30 years at The Scripps Research Institute department of Immunology conducting research focused on lung diseases that included emphysema, asthma and respiratory distress syndrome for both infants and adults.

As an imaginative and inventive person, Zenaida was comfortable showing her creative and explorer spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were tending to her orchids and gardens, baking and decorating cakes, traveling the world with a close knit group of friends, raising, caring for, and loving her children and grandchild. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Zenaida was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Zenaida's favorites was JonJon, a Bichon Frisé. Her family was rounded out by her Shiba Inu dog Puka and her Siamese cat Ace.

As someone who treasured harmony and quiet, Zenaida accepted retirement and made the most of it. That day finally came in 2005, and Zenaida was well prepared. Her new life involved relocating to Oceanside, CA to be closer to her family. In retirement, she found new pleasure in caring for at watching her grandson, Joaquin, grow from an infant into a young man.

She is survived by her son, Kahuku, her Grandson Joaquin, and her siblings Roberto and Rita. She was preceded in death by her husband Rizalino and her youngest son Krizpin.

Though she could be a private person at times, Zenaida was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Zenaida carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. A poetic, intuitive “teacher”, Zenaida G. Oades shared herself freely and family and friends will remember Zenaida for her caring and nurturing soul.