Search by Name
Search by Name
Rosary for Teresa Fortes Mabitazan Balawen, 84, Lawrence, will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 7, 2017. A Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until 6:00 p.m. all at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. She passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She will be cremated and will be interred at Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Columbarium in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Teresa was born June 29, 1932 in Tubao La Union, Philippines the daughter of Teodoro and Petra Fortes Mabitazan.
She worked as a crew restaurant worker for McDonalds for over 20 years.
Teresa married Vicente "Vic" Bugtong Balawen in 1957 in the Philippines. He preceded her in death November 22, 2013.
Other survivors include three daughters, Norma Schmidt (Karl) Lawrence, Linda Balawen Gulane (Julieto/Jojo) Lawrence, Susan Balawen Thomas (Danny), Lawrence; son, John Balawen, Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Vilma Balawen; seven grandchildren, Vanessa, Nikolaus, Juler, Justin, Jeddalyn, Vincent, Hannah; and great granddaughter, Mikay Gulane.
Teresa was a very sweet lady with kindness to a fault. She always had a big smile on her face. She took pride in her decades of work at McDonald's where her smile inspired others to the point she gained a following of 'coffee regulars'. She is remembered for her years of loving care of her bed-ridden husband, Vicente during his battle with illness. Teresa loved gardening and no matter where she went, someone would come up and say "Hi Teresa"; as she loved talking to people.
Memorials may be made in her name for Philippines Churches through Susan Balawen Thomas and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Saddened to see this. Your Mom was a wonderful woman. Such a sweet lady.
Dayna Lee
January 7, 2017
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.
January 6, 2017
To: Schmidt Family,
Please accept our condolences, and may the good Lord bless you all.
Lea & Gary
Lea Hetherington
January 5, 2017
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Fe Garces
January 5, 2017
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
Funeral services provided by:
Warren-McElwain Mortuary Lawrence Chapel120 West 13th, Lawrence, KS 66044
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more