Belen Hijosa Gast, of Whispering Pines, passed away at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on May 6, 2022. Belen was born in Basud, Polangui, Albay Philippines on December 25, 1949 to Restituto Salimbao, a prominent business owner and Maria Hijosa, a talented dressmaker. Belen most recently worked as a medical technologist at Moore Regional Hospital. She was a woman of the church, loved her family with her whole being and enjoyed shopping- mostly for others, traveling, flowers and throwing down the gauntlet for karaoke. Belen was a huge fan of Tom Selleck and Whitney Houston.

Belen is survived by her son John Squires, stepchildren Thomas Gast and Ai Ybarrondo, many grandchildren and her siblings Maria Wilson, Flora Ruff, Salome Odau. Belen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Michael C. Gast; and siblings, Carmen, Salvator, Adela, Ricardo and Jesus.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Boles Funeral Home, 425 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 175 E. Connecticut Ave, Southern Pines on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Kane officiating. Burial will take place at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.