Melodia D. Pasetes

Melodia dela Victoria Pasetes, age 86 in Angier, NC passed away surrounded by the warmth of her family. Known to many as Melody, she was born in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, and was the daughter of the late Gaspar dela Victoria and Victoria dela Victoria-Elopre.

A celebration of Melodia’s life will be held on Thursday, January 4th at 3:00 PM at the chapel of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Angier, NC. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 1:00-2:45 PM at the funeral home.

Melodia’s life was a beautiful tapestry of love, faith, and resilience, woven with the threads of joy she found in the simplest of moments with her beloved husband, Roger, their children, and extended family.

As a strong, selfless, God-fearing woman, her genuine spirit and open heart made her home a haven of warmth and welcome, where friends and family were always greeted with open arms and a bright smile. Her ability to make everyone feel loved and important was one of her most remarkable traits.

The delicious meals she lovingly prepared were not just food for the body but also for the soul, bringing together her loved ones in moments of joy and togetherness. Her kitchen was a place of laughter, stories, and the creation of cherished memories.

Melodia took excellent care of herself. She enjoyed participating in a senior’s bowling league with her husband, Roger, and taking their dog, George for walks at the park. She was friendly, energetic, hardworking, generous, smart, business-savvy, possessed an exceptional memory, and never missed greeting someone on their special days.

After earning a degree in Business Administration from the Philippine College of Commerce, Melodia became an educator where she touched many lives. Her tenure at National College of Business and Arts (NCBA), Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) where she taught Spanish, Marketing, Bookkeeping, and authored textbooks, was marked by her dedication to her students' success. Her influence extended beyond the classroom, shaping the lives of those she taught. Even today, some of her students from over a half-century ago have remained in touch, a testament to the enduring legacy of her almost 27 years of dedicated service in education.

Her unwavering dedication to the life insurance business resonated throughout her entire career. She derived immense joy from helping people, especially in the arenas of savings and tax-free retirement planning. As a general agent for life insurance companies until her passing, she profoundly influenced the industry, leaving an enduring legacy. Her foray into the life insurance field commenced in 1976 as a life insurance agent in the Philippines, and by 1993, she had seamlessly transitioned into a role as a financial services agent in the USA, broadening her expertise and deepening her impact in the realm of financial planning.

Melodia is survived by children Alexander Pasetes and wife Kris Kathleen of Rocky Mount, NC, Romel Pasetes of Angier, NC, Eleanor “Len” Pasetes Bishop and husband Laird of Saranac Lake, NY, and Rogelio II "Roel" Pasetes and wife Angela of Celina, TX. She is also survived by her granddaughters Lauren Pasetes Bishop of Plattsburgh, NY, and Emberly Raine Pasetes of Celina, TX; as well as her siblings, Napoleon dela Victoria, Nelson dela Victoria, Dulce dela Victoria, Virginia Hess, and Rogelio Elopre.

Melodia was preceded in death by her parents, Gaspar and Victoria, and siblings, Romeo, Amoros, and most recently, Roger, her husband of 57 years.

Melodia's life was a testament to the power of love, faithfulness, and kindness under God’s favor. Her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten, as her teachings, love, and memories continue to inspire and guide us.