Elenita S. Estacio

Elenita Samson Estacio —also known to some as Mommy or “Me”, Grandma, Sanse, Ellen, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 18, 2026 in San Diego. She was born on September 27, 1956 in the Bulacan province of the Philippines, the third daughter of Pedro and Prudencia Samson. She grew up having a unique and unbreakable bond with her six “Sisterets” and brother. She was a social butterfly, often enjoying picnics with friends and exploring the town. 

She left home at the age of 25 and took a one-way flight to Florida, settling in New Port Richey to pursue her American dream of becoming a nurse overseas. Ellen had high hopes & worked hard towards a brighter future for her and her family back home in the Philippines. She started her career in Med-Surg after moving from Florida to Long Beach, CA, until finally settling in San Diego. Home health nursing was Ellen’s true passion, where she spent well over 20 years caring for patients in the comfort of their homes. She treated her patients like family, making sure they were safe and well at home while creating meaningful connections during her visits. She took up the role of case manager at Palomar Hospital before retiring in 2017.

 Ellen made a positive impact on many lives, including the family, friends, and relatives surrounding her. Her greatest legacy is the love, kindness, and warmth she brought to her family. She highly valued the relationship she had with her parents and seven siblings, no matter the time or distance. She only wanted the best for her children, ensuring that they had every blessing and opportunity available to them. She carried herself with class, strength, & confidence, and always encouraged others to believe in themselves. She believed in the power of kind words. She was approachable, quick to smile, and her eyes would brighten when seeing a familiar face. 

Ellen was adventurous and a travel enthusiast. She loved having a passport in hand, ready to explore a new city whether by plane or cruise ship. Europe was her go-to for seeing historical landmarks and cathedrals, artwork, and beautiful views. She loved collecting fridge magnets to document all her travels.

 During her free time, Ellen enjoyed lunch dates, shopping, and sister-bonding time on the weekends. She was a big fan of Souplantation. She liked to sing her heart out on the karaoke machine. She loved taking Zumba classes. She enjoyed long walks & the outdoors, frequenting Rohr Park, Lake Miramar, and Lake Poway. At a party, you would likely see her joining a line dance. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. Every year she would decorate the house beautifully and create a warm and cozy atmosphere, a memory her children will cherish forever.

A lifelong Catholic, Ellen was a parishioner at St. Michael’s San Diego before moving to Poway in 2003. She then became a parishioner at St. Michaels Poway and also attended St. Gabriels Church. Ellen was unwavering in her faith and prayer life. She made sure to attend Mass every Sunday and found strength in Scripture and the sacraments. She raised her children in the Church, inspiring them to also grow in their faith.

 Although she has passed on, the deep love, values, and care she extended to us all will forever remain in our hearts. She is survived by her two sons Jesse, Julius, and her daughter Erika; her daughter-in-law Mariane; her four grandchildren Gavin, Jaxen, Jeynali, and Tayden; her mother, Prudencia Samson; her siblings, her older sister Luchie; her older sister Nenette; her younger sister Leah; her younger brother Nelson; her younger sister Hilda; her younger sister Donna; and her youngest sister Jeng; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Pedro.