Natividad Delfin

Natividad Salud Delfin, age 87, passed away in the comforts of her home in the morning of February 9, 2023.  One of her last wishes was to go home, so on the Friday before her passing, she was discharged home from the hospital to spend the last moments of her life surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors who were able to talk to her, pray over her, and say their final goodbyes.  Along with the outpouring of love she received from those who visited and those who spoke to her on the phone, her greatest blessing was receiving Jesus made possible by the daily visits of her parish priest, Fr. Dave.  Unable to eat, she was able to receive a few drops of the precious blood of Jesus as her spiritual and physical nourishment.  Natividad drew her last breath on a Thursday morning, spending the last six days of her earthy life home.  Witnessed by her son and daughter-in-law, an indescribable sense of peace overwhelmed her bedroom, which was later explained by her long time parish pastor, Fr. Larry, as the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Natividad was born on September 7, 1935 in San Juan Batangas, Philippines to Vicente Salud and Felicidad Barican Salud.  Her mother died at a young age and she and her younger sister Carmencita were raised by her father and close relatives.  Like her father who was a school principal, she devoted her professional life to education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of the Philippines, and teaching Biology and other sciences at Lakandula High School, Manila.  There she was blessed to have met two colleagues who became life-long friends, Corazon Aisporna and Godofreda (Nene) Rodas.  It was Nene who introduced her to her future husband, Archimedes Delfin, which gave her many blessings in her life journey.  

In February of 1978 Natividad and her husband were blessed with a son, Nicolas Delfin.  Sometime around 1987 she followed her husband to the United States in hopes of providing a better future for their son. She resided mostly in Hawaiian Gardens, California.  No longer having the desire to teach, she worked as a teacher’s aide and later as a cashier at Fry’s Electronics.  When not working, she devoted her time caring for her husband and son.  She enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses, and loved her dog Sargeant until his passing. She had a happy outlook that endeared her to her neighbors whom she quickly befriended.  Known to her neighbors as Nati or Nativity, she had a motherly/grandmotherly presence and was well loved.  In June of 2019, one of her most ardent prayers was answered, as she gained a daughter when her son married Kyna Ansay.  Although the last three years of her life limited her physically to being bed bound, her outlook remained optimistic.  Instead of being depressed with her physical limitations, her spiritual health grew stronger, praying the rosary often, watching mass daily, and continuing to receive communion with help from people bringing the Eucharist to her.  She was also well taken cared of by hardworking and loving caregivers, Tess, Sandra, and Maria, often going above and beyond their duties to make her feel loved, comfortable, and entertained.

Natividad loved everything and anything beautiful.  She loved growing flowers in her garden, enjoyed watching videos of beauty pageants, and displaying her pictures of when she was Miss Academy in her high school.  The most beautiful part of her though was something she herself did not see or talk about.  It was the beauty of her soul, inner beauty given to her by the love of God, seen and felt by those most close to her.  

Natividad is survived by her sister, her son, and her daughter-in-law, who ask that her family and friends continue to pray for the salvation of her soul, so that God’s unfathomable goodness and mercy welcome His faithful daughter Natividad home into eternal rest in heaven.