Stella Marie aka “Telarie” or “Tela” was born in Manila, Philippines to Benigno and Estrella de la Rosa on June 16, 1955. She graduated High School from Saint Joseph’s College in Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines in 1973. She also attended and completed secretarial college prior to her move to the US. In June of 1976, just before her 21st birthday, she along with our parents, her brothers Hurrie (Ben-Hur) and myself Randy (BenAnthony) immigrated to the United States. She became a naturalized US citizen a few years later. The San Francisco Bay Area with SF, Daly City, and Union City was her home in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

In the late 70s and 80s, Telarie worked as a secretary for executives from Castle & Cooke and Dole Foods in San Francisco. She later became an Executive Assistant to then Hewlett-Packard CEO John A. Young in the early 1990s in Palo Alto. She took great pride in her jobs and in support of the people and companies she worked for. From my perspective as her brother, my “Ate” (means older sis in Tagalog) was a hard worker and helped to support her family.

Telarie was also musically inclined. She studied and enjoyed playing the piano. She loved playing classical music pieces such as Liszt’s “Liebestraum” and Debussy’s “Claire du lune.” Her favorite movie music pieces were The Godfather and Somewhere in Time. She also loved to travel. She has been back to the Philippines, has travelled to Europe, and many US States. In 2014, she and I, along with our mom traveled on a pilgrimage to France in Lourdes and to Nevers to see the body of St. Bernadette. This was always on her bucket list and I am grateful that I was able to share the experience with her. Telarie also loved her pet cockatiel Caesar as most of her family knows. She had a great affinity for birds.

Telarie loved everyone in her family circle. In particular, she loved her nieces and nephews; Christiane, Carlo, Alex, Dylan, BJ, Aarika, Bekie, Samie, Sophia, and Clare. She was always a conduit to all of our families and friends. She got along with everyone including her Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and old friends and classmates. In recent years, her health wasn’t the best but she still lived life to the fullest. I know that she was very grateful to all who helped her during her health issues including Benjie, Hurrie & Lisa, Rob & Suzie and many more. From 2000 to 2022 she lived in Sacramento, CA until her final home in Twin Falls, Idaho from 2023 to 2026. She loved her quaint apartment in Twin Falls where she lived in peace and quiet. Monica, Sophia, Clare, and I are always grateful to have moved her closer to us in Idaho. She loved my girls so much and they will miss her greatly.

Telarie knew she was never the perfect person, but she did her best to please everyone. She touched many. She never married or had children. She is preceded by her parents Benigno and Estrella, her brother Benju and survived by her brothers Benjie, Hurrie, and me Randy. I will miss all the talks we had. My girls will miss her unmistakable greetings to “Clary” and “Sophie” as she walked into our home. She loved her sister-in-law Monica and affectionately called her “Ika.” I will cherish all the moments we had with her. I will miss her so much. Rest in Peace my “Ate.”

John 14: 1-3: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/stella-marie-jose-de-la-rosa-funeral-fund to help for her funeral expenses.