Obituary of Valentina Tonel

Valentina T. Tonel passed away peacefully in her home on November 27, 2023 at the age of 94. She led a long and wonderful life.

Known to her close friends and family as “Nene” or “Lola”, Valentina was born in Makato, Aklan, Philippines in 1929. She migrated to the United States in 1962 living in Toro Canyon before moving to Santa Barbara in 1967. She farmed with her husband at the Hammond’s Estate in Montecito until his death in 1987.

She loved Santa Barbara and enjoyed trips with her family to Stearn’s Wharf, Saturday Fisherman’s Market at the Harbor, Santa Barbara Farmers Market, the Swap Meet at SB High, the Beach and Costco!

She also loved eating out! Enjoying the clam chowder at Brophy Bros., the steamed clams at Beachside Café, the beef mignon stir-fry at Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant and the tempura shrimp at Sushi Teri House!

She is preceded in death by her husband Leopoldo and her older siblings. She is survived by her 2 sons Gregory and Leopoldo Jr., her daughter Milagrosa, son-in-law Patrick and her 3 grandchildren Sasha, Mason, and Nicole. She leaves behind many relatives…cousins, nieces and nephews and close family friends.

We are especially grateful to her caregivers Emelyn and Beth. You both cared for our mom as if she were family. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you, also, to the staff at Assisted Hospice Care.

Mom, we love you and we will miss you dearly.

A Service will be held February 23rd at Santa Barbara Cemetery (901 Channel Drive, Santa Barabara CA) at 10:00am followed by a Celebration of Life at the Filipino Community Building (425 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA) at 12:00pm.