Evelyn Katherine Custodio Gatchalian Galdo Malana passed away on Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021 in her home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was surrounded by her loved ones and passed as they prayed the rosary together. Evelyn was born on July 22, 1944 to Valentin and Araceli Gatchalian in Manila, Philippines.
She lost her parents early on in life and helped take care of her siblings when she was practically still a child herself. Family was EVERYTHING to her. She moved to the United States in 1964 to support her family in the Philippines. During that time, she met married and started a family with Marcos Galdo. Unfortunately, their love was not meant to last, and Evelyn was widowed at an early age. This loss did not stop her from believing in love and being strong for her family. In November of 1969 she met Eduardo Malana. Obviously still grieving she was not ready for anything more than friendship. They were married February 13, 1971 in Reno, NV, due to service commitment, though they had a church wedding planned for later that year. With him, Evelyn traveled the world many times over. She loved to travel and made sure each of their children got to travel the world as well. The two bought a house and made a home in Virginia Beach, VA in 1977 and filled it with Evelyn’s 2 children from her first marriage as well as 3 more children together. Along with traveling Evelyn was devout in her Catholic faith and was active with every church she was a part of. She also loved growing all kinds of fruits and vegetation as well as flowers.
A younger brother, Arturo Gatchalian, predeceased Evelyn. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Eduardo; 5 children Markwin Galdo (Laurie), Matthew Galdo, Anthony (Martha), Raquel (Andrew), and Kristina (Jerry); 12 grandchildren Ashley, Cory, Tristan, Mikaela, Melissa, Britani, Aidan, Preston, Calista, Jasper, Seychelle and Cyprus; 2 great-grandchildren Raelynn and Braydon; siblings Cleofe, Liza, Renato, Norman and Tessa as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and loved ones.
There will be no viewing as Evelyn will be cremated then inurned at the Catholic Church of Saint Mark at 1505 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 following a memorial mass on Wednesday January 27, 2021. at 14:00.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Food Pantry of the Catholic Church of Saint Mark.