Julieta Belo

Dr. Julieta Ovejera Belo, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, in San Jose, California, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on May 3, 1937, in Barangay Canlubang, Calamba City, Province of Laguna in the Philippines, Julieta pursued a lifelong passion for education and learning. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos. She then ventured to the United States to advance her education, earning a Masters degree from North Dakota State University and a Ph.D. in soil chemistry from Michigan State University. (Go Green!) At Michigan State, Julieta met Panfilo Belo, who became her husband of more than 57 years.

After obtaining her Ph.D. at Michigan State, Julieta taught chemistry at Lansing Community College. She and Panfilo moved their family west to pursue professional opportunities in California, settling in Gilroy in 1976. In 1980, she changed careers and re-entered the workforce as an engineering associate at AT&T in Sunnyvale for over a decade. After retiring, she shared her knowledge as an educator, working for several years in the Gilroy Unified School District as a substitute teacher. Julieta was also a tireless volunteer and officer for the University of the Philippines, Los Banos Alumni Association of America.

A devout Catholic, Julieta was a faithful parishioner at St. Mary Parish in Gilroy for fifty years. Her commitment to her faith and community was a guiding force throughout her life. At St. Mary, she served as a Catechist and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

In her free time, Julieta had the greenest of green thumbs, taking meticulous care of house plants and growing a multitude of fresh fruits and vegetables in her garden. She was known to family and friends as a wonderful cook and baker. Her grandchildren looked forward to the cookies that awaited them on every visit. In her retirement years, Julieta was an avid world traveler and spoke especially fondly of her pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Julieta was the beloved matriarch of her family. In addition to being the loving wife of Panfilo, she was a devoted mother to Vladimir Belo and Portia Belo. She also welcomed into her family Bridget Belo, daughter-in-law; Erek Borowski, son-in-law; and took great joy in being grandmother to Jack Belo, Miranda Belo, Veronica Borowski, and D.J. Borowski, and step-grandmother to Selah Gable. Julieta was blessed with and beloved by many nieces and nephews.

Julieta is fondly remembered by her siblings: Artemio Ovejera and his wife Norma; Sr. Cristina Ovejera; and Marisa Protacio and her husband Chito. She now joins in eternal rest her parents, Leopoldo and Guadalupe Ovejera; and siblings Illuminada Ovejera, Caridad Ovejera, Winifreda Manalli, Pelagia Carabaca, Hermina Ovejera, Benjamin Ovejera, and Flordeliza Janer.

Calling hours will be held on February 2, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 Fourth Street in Gilroy, California. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will follow on February 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Parish, 11 First Street, in Gilroy, with burial at St. Mary Cemetery, 900 First Street in Gilroy immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the following organizations in Julieta’s memory.

The scholarship fund of the University of the Philippines, Los Banos Alumni Association

For details on making a donation to the scholarship fund in Julieta’s memory, please email Saydabalnov79@gmail.com

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/

St. Mary Parish (Gilroy, CA): https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/smpgilroy