Merlita Fallago Pittsley's Obituary
Merlita Pittsley (68), of San Diego, California, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on September 30th, 2022 at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, California.
Merlita, or Merly as she was affectionately known by her family and friends, was born on October 8th, 1953 in Biwas Tanza, Cavite in the Philippines to Rodeo Fallago and Gerarda (Dones) Fallago. She was raised in Kawit, Cavite and at Quonset Point Naval Base, Rhode Island. As a teenager, she returned with her family to the Philippines, where she attended high school at St. Paul College of Parañaque. She received her Graduate in Nursing in 1974 from Marian Schools, University Physicians’ Services, Inc. in Manila, Philippines. For over 30 years, she served compassionately as a nurse in postpartum, post-anesthesia care, blood bank, home health, and endoscopy.
On August 12, 1978, Merlita married the love of her life, Glenn Joseph Pittsley, in Hawthorne, Nevada. The devoted couple experienced many adventures and shared nearly 42 years of marriage together. Family was very important to her. She and Glenn loved traveling and visiting family in the San Francisco Bay Area and North Dakota. They enjoyed attending country music concerts and rodeos and meeting up with family members at the NFR yearly in Las Vegas. Because of Glenn’s job in the Navy, they were able to live in several states in the USA, including Nevada, California, Hawaii, and Washington. In 1991, Glenn retired from the Navy, and they settled to raise their two children in Merced, California, where they resided for 30 years. After Glenn’s passing in April 2020, she missed her best friend and life partner. In June 2021, she moved to San Diego, CA to have another adventure and live with her daughter, Michelle.
Anyone who knew Merlita could attest to her gentle nature, beautiful smile, and how she filled a room with her warmth and kindness. She was a joyful presence with her creative fashion accessories, beautiful hair, and colorful clothes. One of her passions was cooking. She enjoyed watching cooking shows, jotting down and collecting recipes, and whipping up delectable dishes in her kitchen. If you visited Merly’s house, you knew you would not leave with an empty belly. She also had a creative spirit and enjoyed making jewelry and crocheting scarves and blankets for all her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Merly also loved to decorate her house, especially during Christmas and Halloween. She also unconditionally, unselfishly loved her daughters and grandchildren, and she supported them throughout her lifetime.
Merlita will be greatly missed and forever loved as she touched the lives of many people throughout her life. Merlita is survived by her two daughters, Gelina (Eric) and Michelle; two grandchildren, Aaliyah and Shannon Jr.; sisters Juliet and Ruby (Lito); brother Ed (Lodie); step-mother-in-law Rosalie; brothers-in-law, Donny, Jimmy (Kristy), and Dwight; sisters-in-law, Karen (Dale), Ellen (Jim), and Nancy (Dennis), Sandee, and Mary; nephews Jeffrey (Joycelynn), James, and Nevin; and nieces Janice (Rich), Jessica (Mark), and Rachel.
Merlita was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Joseph Pittsley; her parents, Rodeo and Gerarda Fallago; mother-in-law Betty Pittsley; father-in-law, Glenn Walter Pittsley; her brothers-in-law Leroy Pittsley and David Pittsley; and her sisters-in-law, Della Norby and Louise (David) Arnold.
Merlita’s memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd, from 2-4pm at:
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary
225 S Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
Her burial will be held for a small group of family members on Thursday, November 3rd at 1:30pm at:
Miramar National Cemetery
5795 Nobel Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122
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