Socorro “Coring” (Dejelo) Zalamea, 83

Mrs. Socorro “Coring” (Dejelo) Zalamea, 83, of Ellwood City passed away on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 at Longmeadow Care Center in Ravenna, Ohio.

Mrs. Zalamea was born on September 25th, 1940 in Sampaloc, Philippines to the late Leon and Julia (Tejada) Dejelo. She had graduated from the Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines having earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1961. She worked at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ (1962-1963), Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY (1963-1964), Methodist Evangelical Hospital, Louisville in KY (1964-1965), Wyoming General Hospital in Mullens, WV (1965-1970), and The Family Clinic in Ellwood City, PA (1970-1992). She is a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.

Her greatest joy in life was her family. She loved providing her children and grandchildren strength and love. Coring Loved nursing and being able to care for those unable to care for themselves. She always had a weakness for helping those in need. Her faith was deeply rooted in Catholicism, often traveling to visit Shrines and Locations of God’s miracles.

She had a love of music, especially songs that reminded her of her husband of 51 years. Her favorite artists included Englebert Humperdink, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Vinton, and John Denver. In her younger years, she loved to dance to Disco, hosted fabulous parties, and traveled quite fashionably. Socorro also enjoyed gardening.

She had a fondness of telling stories. Oftentimes she’d be so carried away mixing Tagalog with English, but it didn’t matter. She would burst into laughter and you would as well, right along with her. Her stories spanned from being in hiding and captured by the Japanese as a young child, graduating nursing school at the age of 19, leaving the Philippines shortly thereafter for a life in America. Her first date with soon-to-be husband, was paid be her since he was on an allowance, but somehow he managed the funds to follow her to the U.S., court her and eventually marry her.

She had an independence, loving and energetic spirit that few could match. For those that knew her, “Coring” Knew what she wanted and when, but most importantly she was nurturing, loving and called everyone “Honey”. She will be missed by many, but, especially by her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters Nita Zalamea Longo and Stephanie A. Zalamea both of Boston, MA, sons Petronio D. Zalamea of Perrineville, NJ and Richard D. (Angela) Zalamea of Rootstown, OH, grandchildren Julia R. Longo, Elena M. Longo, Bryan J. Zalamea, and Daniel C. Zalamea, sister Teresita Dejelo Villaverde, brother Oscar Tejada (Leonie) DeJelo, and sister-in-law Corazon Dejelo. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews Maribel Ramos, Marlene Davis, Grace Flynn, Bryan Ramos, Jeffrey Dejelo, Jason Dejelo, Jamie Purcell, Ernesto Villaverde, Jay Villaverde, Grace Villaverde, Edgar Villaverde, Christopher Dejelo, Merrick Dejelo, Julie Seoung, Ulysses Zalamea, Florencio Zalamea, Liza De Las Llagas, Amia Zalamea, Christopher Villaraza, Benjamin Villaraza, Maria Villaraza, Ely Lina, Cesar Lina, Jun Lina, Eleanor DeGuzman, Marichu Caparas, Menche Caparas-Brouilla, Marivic Caparas, and Euchie Pizarro. As a resident of Ellwood City for over 50 years, she also leaves behind many friends within the community.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Petronio F. Zalamea whom she married on January 25th, 1964 and passed away on November 9th, 2015, sister Corazon “Bunso” Tejada Dejelo in 2012, and brother Rodolfo “Rudy” Tejada DeJelo in 2019.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27th, 2023 from 5-8 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church with Father Joseph Freedy officiating. Entombment will follow at the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.