Glecy Custodia

Glecy Cheryl (Cery) Custodia, age 88, born on December 21, 1936, in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines, passed away at her home in Baldwin Park, California in the early morning hours of Friday, August 29, 2025.

Glecy leaves behind her children, Henry, Jasmine, and Ami. She was also the loving grandmother to Andrew, Michael, Timothy, Aiden, Bella, and Grace.

Glecy's entrepreneurial spirit began early when she purchase her first plot of land in Manila at age 17. She was the only daughter in her family to earn a college degree. After marriage, together with her husband, they owned a convenience store, a shared ride service and real estate rentals across Metro Manila. In addition, she worked at three companies as their chief accountant in full-time, part-time and weekend roles. While their hard work set them on the path to a comfortable life in the Philippines, Glecy knew that real opportunity could be found across the Pacific Ocean.

Glecy immigrated to the United States of America in 1974 under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Her husband, 7-year old son and 18-month old daughter joined her 11 months later after she established a home and career. Her first job was as a minimum wage bookkeeper, far below her CPA credentials, but she soon rose to become the chief accountant. She left that role to join the Los Angeles Unified School District where she retired from a long career as a senior auditor.

While working full-time at LAUSD, the entrepreneurial itch still needed scratching. Glecy's "side hustle" continued as a real estate investor who bought and sold fixer-upper single family homes across Los Angeles. Over the years she has bought and sold 20+ properties that stretched to nearby Arizona and Nevada. Her diligent saving and business savvy helped fund her dream to travel the world and visit all seven continents.

Glecy follows her husband, Marvin Ron Custodia, her father, Pablo Tolentino Gomez, and mother, Maria Lumbang Kabigting, in death, along with her siblings, Luz, Joaquin, Roman, Leonida, Venancia, Guillermo and Antonio. She is survived by a large extended family and loving friends from around the world.

The Custodia family will receive visitors at the viewing on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Tribute Center.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 2:30 PM at Church of Our Heritage with interment to follow. A recording of the memorial service can be viewed here: https://streaming.forestlawn.com/ae0bd254

All events will take place at:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

21300 Via Verde Street, Covina, CA

In lieu of flowers….

Our mom’s acts of giving were personal and individual. She gave money and financial advice to relatives and friends to support education and a path to improved outcomes. She specifically targeted young women and girls since they (just like her) are the ones who would get the least amount of resources in large Filipino families.

While it’s not necessary to give anything, those who are so moved can donate to a charity in her name that aligns with our mom’s goal of helping girls & young women succeed and support themselves financially.