Rosa Mabalay Lorica, lovingly known as "Grandma Rose" by her family and all who knew her, went to be with the Lord on 3:10 a.m., June 10, 2019 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. From her birth on January 20, 1920 until her death on Monday, she blessed the people around her with steadfast love and faith.

Rosa was born and raised in La Union, Philippines, to Antonina Perez and Florencio Mabalay. She was the fifth among eight siblings: Eligio, Mauro, Bernarda, Mary, Cecilia, Adoración and Emeteria. She graduated from high school in Bauang, La Union and later went to college in Quezon City to study as a dressmaker. She had a keen eye for the beauty surrounding her and was herself a beautiful soul. This is what her late husband, Abraham Lorica, whom she met in Manila through family friends, said attracted him to her. He said that the first moment he saw her, he fell in love with her beauty. While the feeling was not initially reciprocated, Abe eventually won Rosa over with some sweets, a detail that should not be surprising to those who knew her given her appreciation of sugary delicacies. Rosa married Abe when she was 19 years old and remained a loving and faithful wife until his death on February 1, 2005.

In their 66 years of marriage, Rosa and Abe never stopped working hard and sacrificing for their family. During WWII they fled to the mountains, carrying their children and the bare necessities to escape Japanese occupancy. Rosa used her dress making talent and skill to support her childrens' education, and also lovingly shared it with her family, endowing them with custom-made and custom-fitted pieces. In the early 1980s they left the Philippines with their two youngest children to join their two eldest children in the United States and eventually settled permanently in Glen Burnie, MD. Rosa was a God-fearing woman. She attended church every week, always donned in her "Sunday best." She read the Bible through and through until her eyesight failed her. She also prayed nightly for everyone in her large family, which she attributed to keeping her mind sharp.

Rosa loved all children and was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Left to honor and remember her are her four children: Dr. Cris Gatdula and her husband, Dr. Tony Gatdula; Fe Garalde and her husband, Ernie Garalde; Evelyn Arizala and her husband, Tony Arizala; and Ben Lorica and his wife, Tess Lorica.

She will also be missed by her 12 grandchildren: Burt Gatdula and his wife, Michele Kendus, Esq.; Dr. Brian Garalde and his wife, Gazelle Marie Garalde; Russell Gatdula; T. Scott Gatdula and his wife, Dr. Paula Lopez-Gatdula; Darlene Garalde Intlekofer and her husband, Dr. Andrew Intlekofer; Pastor Steven Gatdula and his wife, Jeddah Bawiin-Gatdula; Kay Garalde Crandell and her husband, Chas Crandell; Sandra Garcia and her fiancée, James William; Christopher Lorica and his wife, Crystal Lorica; Captain Albert Lorica and his wife, Jennifer Savino; Leah Arizala and her fiancée, Alex Neric; and Josh Arizala and his wife, Shaina Arizala.

Her legacy of love will continue on in her 15 great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Garalde, Lara Garalde, Julio Garcia II, Savier Garcia, Luke Garalde, Mathew Gatdula, Ethan Gatdula, Aletheia Gatdula, Alexandra Intlekofer, Adiel Gatdula, Augie Crandell, Elishua Gatdula, Nico Crandell, Daphne Intlekofer, and Zula Crandell.

Throughout her 99 years of life, Rosa was a blessing to her family, friends, church, and community. We will dearly miss her beautiful smile, and her sincere and warm hugs and "I love you's" but are comforted in knowing that she has joined Abe in heaven and they are both with God.

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Family, friends, and others whose lives Rosa touched are invited to the Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A., 495 Ritchie Hwy., on Friday, June 14, 2019, from 5pm to 9pm to gather and remember our beloved Grandma Rose.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th, the family will greet friends at the funeral home until the 11 a.m. service. Interment will immediately follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park. The family welcomes you to a reception after the internment; please contact them directly for the venue.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the funeral home for their attentiveness and care. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com .