Nine-day novena held for Dell Fallar’s demise

 

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—The ‘Padasal’ (communal prayer) for the ninth day novena for the soul of Dell Fallar ended on Wednesday evening, May 27. 

The nine-day novena is a traditional Catholic devotion prayer for the dead to commend the soul of the deceased to God’s mercy. 

Organized by Dell’s close friend Dr. Nini Bautista, the ‘Padasal’ for Dell Fallar @Adelia de la Cruz Fallar is well attended by friends and acquaintances. 

Dr. Bautista explained that the Filipino-American community is leading the novena that was conducted through Zoom to support the the bereaved family.  Dr. Bautista is assisted by the novena  expertise and technical support of Nenette  Costes and Lorena Ostrea -Cruz. 

Both were assisted by husband Richard and John on the technical side except on the last night where it was Boging and Doris Mata who facilitated the technical aspect of the novena. 

The first day of the novena drew 38 devotees who participated in the Zoom meeting. More than 30 devotees attended the next few days of the novena for Fallar who died last May 19.  If anything, the novena brought together old and new friends of Fallar, who left a big void in the Filipino-American community of the Carolinas.

Based on her obituary, Fallar was born on November 20,1940 in Manila, Philippines. She made her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she built a life marked by service, learning and steadfast devotion to faith, family, and community.

An educator with a degree from the Philippine Normal University in Manila and later a Master’s Degree in Education at The University of North Carolina Charlotte, Fallar was a devoted member of Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Church in Charlotte and a two-time President and one of the founding members of the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas (FACC).

She also served on the Board of Directors of the Filipino American Spirit (FAS), and remained connected through the Alumni Association of Philippine Normal University. 

Her generosity of spirit and commitment to community service reflected a life lived with a benefactor’s heart—one that sought to lift others and build lasting bonds.

Adelia is survived by her sister, Myrna Fallar Kleitman of Charlotte, NC; her sister, Imelda dela Cruz Fallar (Scott Moorman) of Charlotte, NC; her brother-in-law, Danny Haulk of Charlotte, NC; and her sister-in-law, Milagros Magallanes Fallar. Adelia also leaves 17 nephews and nieces in the US, Canada, Philippines, New Zealand, Australia and Botswana.

Visitation is scheduled at the Wilson Funeral and Cremation Service, 5301 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 282123611, on Thursday, May 28 from 4 pm to 8 pm.

A funeral service for Fallar is scheduled at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4207 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215 on May 29 at 1 pm.

Dell’s life story will continue in the hearts of her friends like Gloria Grifenhagen who has this story to share: 

‘We were school mates at the Philippine Normal University.  She graduated before I did. I met her on my first year of teaching in Manila.  Her school was next door to mine.  I lived in a boarding house within walking distance to school.  She taught at the Magat Salamat Elementary School and I, in Manuel Quezon Elementary School.  My roommate was a friend of hers and she introduced us.’

‘I met her in ‘66 and I left for the states in ‘69.  Two years later, she joined me in Charlotte.  Her hometown is Mindoro, but they moved to Balut. At the airport waiting for my flight for the States, she handed me a $20 bill- a big amount of money at that time. She always told me how proud she was of my family.’

‘On a trip to Thailand, we were crossing the street when a motorcycle hit her.  She was fine but the motorcycle was not. And at my daughter’s wedding she made an announcement to the guest and explained the Filipino custom of pinning money to the bride and groom,’ Grifenhagen recounted.

Dr. Nini Bautista—who was at Raleigh and couldn’t make it to the ninth day novena—thanked everyone for the kindness and prayers for Dell Fallar.  I join the others in praying for eternal rest for the soul of Adelia Fallar.