Helen Dumlao Orencia

Helen was born on August 15, 1939, in Pangasinan, Philippines to Cirilo and Corazon (nee Ferrer) Dumlao. She was the 2nd of their 7 children.

Helen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Santo Tomas in 1960. After she graduated, she had the fortunate opportunity to live in Chicago, IL in a 2 yr nursing exchange program. From there she, with her friends, discovered the love of travel by exploring many states by bus every opportunity they could. While attending UST she was introduced to Honorio V. Orencia, who would become her loving husband on October 24, 1964. Their marriage lasted for more than 51 years.

In 1968, they, along with their older two children, Michael and Liza, immigrated to Detroit, Michigan, where their two younger children Manny and Cecilia, were born. There they met other Filipino families and formed a community which became an extended family of Aunties and Uncles and friends who celebrated together, traveled together, and looked out for each other. We lovingly called the “Westland group” after most moved to that suburb in the early 1970s and living within blocks of each other. The community grew in number and has been lifelong friends even after many moved away to other cities. Many other friends were made when the Orencia family moved to Canton, MI in 1979. They were blessed with many memories of them all.

In 1993, Helen followed her husband to San Diego, where they “retired”. However, they missed their friends so much that they returned to Michigan, went back to their jobs, and lived there until 2002, when they finally retired and moved back to San Marcos, California.

Helen will be remembered fondly for her love of gardening, travel, her faith, crossword & jigsaw puzzles, reading, going to the theater, and watching Jeopardy, Hallmark movies & True crime stories.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Carlos, Manuel, and Amando and sister Belen Pesada and her husband, Honorio “Henry”. She is survived by children, Michael (Lisa) Orencia, Liza (Lee) Antonio, Manuel (Amy) Orencia and M. Cecilia (Michael Hanson) Orencia and 11 grandchildren (Nathaniel, Olivia, Nicholas, Elise, Adam, Amelia, Christopher, Nevaeh, Casey, Addison, and Noah).

She is also survived by her loving sisters Felicitas (Ferdinand) Pablo and Delia (Rodger) Alvarez, sister-in laws Flory Dumlao, Fely Dumlao and Nellie Orencia as well as a vast extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A viewing for Helen will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Eternal Hills Mortuary Chapel, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, California 92054. A rosary will be held at 6PM. A mass will occur Friday, August 25, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St Mark Catholic Church, 1147 W Discovery St, San Marcos, California. Followed by a burial ceremony at Eternal Hills for family and close friends; please contact Cecilia or Liza for those details.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eternalhillsmortuary.com for the Orencia family.