Memorial trees planted for:

Bernardina Obaldo Samin

With heavy hearts, our family announces the death of our beautiful Mother, Bernardina (Belen) Obaldo Samin. The gates of Heaven opened up for her on November 17, 2022. Lovingly called Ate Belen, she has touched the lives of many people here and around the world. She brought hope and promises of a better life doing what was very close to her heart – helping others. Born in Balaoan La Union, Philippines on May 20, 1942, Belen was the oldest out of 7 siblings. She attended Far Eastern University and later earned her nursing degree at Manuel V. Gallego School of Nursing in Cabanatuan City. Belen worked as a mid-wife nurse before she was able to travel to the US on a work visa in 1967. This was the start of her story…of her dedication to her family, sacrifices made to help her parents and siblings leave the Philippines, her strong work ethics, her entrepreneurial spirit, and above all else, her deep faith in our Lord. Belen was a Registered Nurse for over 17 years working in Labor & Delivery, Intensive Care Unit, Wound Care and other specialized areas of nursing. She was a single Mother after her marriage ended, to five young children. She had also petitioned her parents and siblings to the US. To supplement her income, Belen worked double shifts and private cases. In 1985, Belen started St. Bernadine Health Care, a recruitment and supplemental staffing nursing agency. She knew there was an urgent need to staff hospitals and nursing homes with qualified health care professionals. Her passion for recruitment began and she traveled to the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Greece and other countries. A few years later, her recruitment included doctors and physical therapists. Belen was also staffing nursing homes with Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Aides and Home Health Aides. Belen continued to grow what is now St. Bernadine Placement & Healthcare Services and has expanded it to include St. Bernadine Home Care and St. Bernadine School of Allied Health. To Belen, there was so much to do and not enough time to do it all. Belen studied to be a Health Care Administrator and nurse anesthetist. As an entrepreneur, she had her hands in real estate, jewelry, clothing, purses, household goods and services, floral arrangements and catering. That’s what we remember and there may be more! Belen was also a very devout Christian and everything she did was for the Lord. Her faith was unwavering, strong and deniably, who she was as a person. “I’m doing all this to save you” as our Mom would tell us. Belen wanted to help everyone as best as she could and as much as she can. There was no stopping her, unless it was her health. Even then, her mind was thinking of ways to help the less fortunate and grow her businesses. She considered herself very blessed to be able to share her wealth, strength, time, spirit and love with family, friends and strangers. Belen was involved with various charities and ministries. She would deliver Ten Commandment tablets to churches and other places of worship. She would volunteer to distribute clothing and food to the needy, and spent hours packing up balikbayan boxes to send to the Philippines. Belen enjoyed her coffee and dessert, loved eating her meals if it was shared with her family, and found happiness in dressing up to go to work or hosting a party. She had ballroom dance lessons and found her new pastime. Her biggest joy was being with her family, seeing us laugh and sharing our love with her. She taught her 9 grandchildren how to pray, even if it took over an hour for each grandchild to say their personal intentions. Her grandchildren adored her immensely. Her days began early and didn’t end until she checked off her list. She found time every night to write her devotions and pray. She would set aside hours to gather for prayer groups. After conversations with our Mom and listening to everything she was doing that day, she’d say “That’s the story. You know your Mother.” As much as we wanted her to slow down, we knew it wasn’t her time until our Lord called her. Belen will always be in the hearts of many and her presence will be missed. To her family, she was our everything. Bernardina Obaldo Samin is survived by her five children- Luisito and wife Jocelyn with their children Lorenzo (fiancé Mary), Gabriela (fiancé Roland) and Paolo; Lilibeth and husband Joseph with their children, John (wife LeeAnne and son Carter), Joshua and Victoria; Ted Jr; Kathleen and husband Roland with their children, Tristan and Nina; and Michelle with husband Jesus with their children, Grace and Caleb. She is also survived by her six siblings - Corazon, Crescencia, Florentina, Josie, Martin, Salvador Jr and their families. She was predeceased by her parents Salvador and Catalina Obaldo. Visitation will be at McLaughlin Funeral Home, 625 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. All are invited to assemble at Saint Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s University Church on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10am for the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial at 12pm will follow at Clover Leaf Memorial Park Cemetery, 931 US Highway 1 South, Woodbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations will be shared with several charities and ministries that were close to Belen’s heart.

November 17, 2022

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20 Trees have been planted in memory of Bernardina Samin.

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Memorial Trees

Jojo

December 15, 2022

The planting of 5 memorial trees in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Jojo. Plant a tree

Praying for peace and comfort to the family of Ate Belen specially her children Louie, Lilibeth, Junior, Kathleen and Michelle and their families.

Msafiri Kiondo

December 03, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Msafiri Kiondo. Plant a tree

She lived a life a Bible faith in Jesus hard work, much love to her Children, grandchildren friends, and strangers! May we all emulate her legacy.

John & Karin Tucker

December 02, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by John & Karin Tucker. Plant a tree

Sending your family love and strength during this difficult time. Love, the Tuckers

With love, de San Andres family

December 02, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by With love, de San Andres family. Plant a tree

In loving memory. Thinking of you and your family during this time.

Susana Ferido

December 02, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Susana Ferido. Plant a tree

You will always be in my heart and memories, Ate Belen. Thank you for being there for me. I did not just lost a friend but also a mother.

Sherida & Orlando San Juan

December 01, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Sherida & Orlando San Juan. Plant a tree

Your love and generosity will always be remembered. Thank you for sharing your self,my Tita Belen. I love you forever.From Sherida and Orlando SJ.

Jeanette Barcelos & Family

December 01, 2022

The planting of 3 memorial trees in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Jeanette Barcelos & Family. Plant a tree

Our prayers & condolences to the family of Ate Belen. Your words that are full of wisdom will continue to grow in our hearts forever ate.We love you.

Alma and Todd Stewart

November 28, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Alma and Todd Stewart. Plant a tree

May her beautiful soul and legacy live on!!

Almaluz

November 27, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Almaluz. Plant a tree

Sent with love and remembrance,

Esperanza and Mike Magbaleta

November 27, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Esperanza and Mike Magbaleta. Plant a tree

We are thinking of you during this difficult time.

Noemi Nazario

November 24, 2022

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Noemi Nazario. Plant a tree

Our deepest condolences to the Samin Family. May the soul of our dear Cousin Belen Rest In Peace. From the Nazario and Flores families.

Asako Ota

November 23, 2022

The planting of 3 memorial trees in the honor of Bernardina Obaldo Samin has been arranged by Asako Ota. Plant a tree

With loving memories of Bernardina Samin, you will always live in my heart! With my sincere sympathy for the families.