Eleanor Estella Gunabe - Obituary

leanor Cruz Estella Gunabe was born to Leon and Adelaida Estella, one of eight siblings. Eleanor grew up in San Juan City, Philippines, and attended Masinloc San Andres High School before graduating from Far Eastern University with a degree in Elementary Education. Eleanor moved to the United States in 1980 to pursue higher opportunities for herself and her family. After retiring from teaching after three plus decades, her love of working with children led her to nannying for young children. Eleanor is survived by her three children: Jeanne, Brigitte, and Gabriel; her eight grandchildren: Arielle, Roderick II, Premirre, Brittaney, Robert, Jenna, Angelina, and Michael; and her two great-grandchildren: Alaina, Tyus; and two furry great-granddogs: Kuma, and Miso; all of whom she loved dearly. Eleanor was a woman of great, spiritual faith, that loved spending time with her family and friends (especially her grandchildren, whose every accomplishment she was so proud of), traveling around the world with her siblings and cousins, and cooking delicious Filipino food for those she loved, specifically her specialties: pancit palabok, lumpia, and empanadas, to name a few. She weirdly got really into the NBA late in life, and (incorrectly) believed LeBron James to be the best basketball player of all time. Relatives and friends are invited to gather for Eleanor's Life Celebration on Friday, January 16, 2026 from 2 P.M. until 8 P.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill MD 20745. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill MD 20745.