Isabelo Esteron

In Loving Memory of Isabelo Esteron

Isabelo Esteron passed away on August 29, 2026, surrounded by the love of family, and is now reunited with his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Catherine Louise Esteron, who passed away on October 10, 2024. After missing her deeply, Isabelo is now at peace beside the love of his life.

Isabelo was born in Cavite, Philippines, to Felix and Maria Baldonanza Esteron, the youngest of ten children. After losing his parents at a very young age, he was raised by his brothers and sisters. Those early experiences shaped his lifelong values of resilience, hard work, sacrifice, and devotion to family.

Seeking a better life, Isabelo left the Philippines and joined the United States Navy. While stationed in Washington, D.C., he met Mary at a New Year’s Eve celebration. They married on March 21, 1960, and built a life together filled with family, travel, friendship, and adventure.Isabelo was first stationed aboard the USS Randolph in Rhode Island. He later trained as a Construction Electrician and joined the Seabees, serving at duty stations in Nevada, California, Australia, and Vietnam, where he served two tours. In 1977, he retired from the Navy and began a career in Civil Service at the VA Hospital in Seattle, Washington.

Like many military families, Isabelo and Mary moved approximately every two years, giving their children the opportunity to experience new places, cultures, and people. Those frequent moves taught their children adaptability, independence, resilience, and the importance of making connections and finding a sense of home wherever life takes them.

Isabelo never forgot the family who raised him. Throughout his life, he gave back and helped family members come to America in pursuit of greater opportunities. He had a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility to those he loved.

Isabelo was a man of discipline and strong opinions, and those who did not know him well may not always have seen the depth of his love. Mary was often the softer parent, while Isabelo could be demanding and direct. Yet, as he grew older, his children saw his harder edges soften and came to know an increasingly gentle and tender father. Beneath his strength and discipline was a man who loved his family deeply.

He is survived by his four children, Michael (Debby), Nora (Craig), Timothy, and Edward (Tara); his grandchildren, Jenna, Kayla, Isabel (Caleb), Jonathan (Jessi), Zachary (Hina), Joshua (Ali), Matthew, Joseph, Dylan, and Christopher; and his great-grandchildren, Madeline, Remy, Tucker, Leah, Phoebe, and Dani.

During his final year and a half, Isabelo found comfort, friendship, and familiarity at the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard, where he enjoyed visits with family, going to the gym, walking outdoors, sharing meals with fellow veterans, playing cribbage, painting, listening to the Bible, and staying connected with family in the Philippines on his iPhone.

Isabelo’s journey—from a young boy in Cavite raised by his siblings to a man who built a new life and devoted himself to family—was one of courage, sacrifice, resilience, and love.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Together again with Mary. 

Forever loved.