Gloria R. Masangcay Obituary in Fremont at Fremont Memorial Chapel

Gloria R. Masangcay

11/23/1940 - 2/22/2026

Obituary For Gloria R. Masangcay

Gloria Reate Masangcay was born on November 23, 1940, in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines, to Remegio and Isabel Reate. She was the third of six siblings. Her family relocated to San Francisco in 1948 during her childhood while her father served in the US Navy. Upon their arrival, Gloria and her family lived in the historical International Hotel. She later attended Polytechnic High School in the late 1950s. In the early 1960s, she took her first job as a cook at the F.W. Woolworth Co. store on Powell and Market, working alongside her sister-in-law, Adelaide, who was a waitress.

Gloria married Ruben Yumang Masangcay in San Francisco on October 10, 1959. In their early years, Gloria worked with Ruben picking crops on farms throughout the California Central Valley. Ruben then enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed in various parts of the Pacific, with Gloria by his side. They moved to Honolulu, where their first two children, Sandra and Ruben Jr., were born. They later moved to San Jose, California, where they welcomed their two youngest children, Richie and Marie. Shortly thereafter, the family of six spent nearly a decade in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. By the mid-to-late 1980s, the family began returning to the SF Bay Area; the children returned at different times, with Gloria and Ruben being the last to relocate to the Tri-City area. In 1990s, Gloria worked at several places, including Montgomery Ward and McDonald’s.

Gloria was known throughout the family for her cooking, especially her lumpia, kare-kare, garlic fried rice, and pork chops in gravy. She was an avid mahjong and poker player, particularly at family gatherings. On weekends, she often joined Ruben at the horse races at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows. She was a loyal San Francisco 49ers fan and frequently wore her favorite color, red. After Ruben retired, they moved back to Angeles City. Following Ruben’s passing in late 2010, she lived with her children and their families across Northern California, Nevada, and Alaska.

Gloria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Over her last 40 years, she helped raise all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at different stages of their lives, always expressing how proud she was of their accomplishments. She is survived by her two youngest siblings, four children, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and their immediate families. Her radiating smile and unwavering spirit will be deeply missed by all who were close to her.

Services

14 Mar

Visitation

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Fremont Memorial Chapel 3723 Peralta Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536 Get Directions »

14 Mar

Memorial Service

12:30 PM

Fremont Memorial Chapel 3723 Peralta Blvd. Fremont, CA 94536 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

03/05/2026

Michelle Viray

Auntie Gloria, I will always remember your beautiful smile—so full of joy and light—and your unconditional love. Thank you for caring for Frankie Boy when he was only a few months old and I had to return to work. You were such a blessing to us, and I will always be grateful. Rest in peace with the Lord. 🙏🏽 My prayer for our family is that we hold onto the hope of seeing you and our loved ones again by receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As the Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." — Romans 10:9 Until we meet again, Auntie. I love you. 🤍🕊️
03/02/2026

Raymond Zamora

My grandmother was strong, independent, selfless, goofy, loving, a great cook, and many more. I'll miss our endless mcdonald dates. I'll miss seeing you whenever I would come over to aunties house. It's not a goodbye.. it's "I'll see you again" I hope you're having a blast in heaven and updating Lolo what you've experienced down here with us; even though he is watching over us. Thank you for being such an amazing grandmother not only to me but to my siblings, cousins, niece, and nephew. My heartaches everyday knowing my mom and her siblings mother is not longer with us. I love you so much Lola 🤍🕊️
03/02/2026

Marilou Cartago

Just found out that your wedding anniversary & uncle Ruben was on my birthday, October 10th. Now for sure that I will always think of you/uncle on my bday❣️Love again, Bebe
03/02/2026

Dely Steele

My heart is broken but I am so lucky to have called you my sister in-law. Your life was blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. Rest easy, my beautiful Ate Gloria. Goodbye is not forever, Goodbye is not the end. It's simply mean's I'll miss you !! You were gone by sight but never from my heart ♥️. Rest peacefully into our Lord internal home💐🙏🏽. Love you Ate Gloria 🫶🏼😘
03/02/2026

Corazon R Gaynor

To my beautiful sister. Thank you sis for being a great sister who took care of me while we were growing up. I will always carry you in my heart. We Love you very much. Sis Cora and Kent. May you rest in peace. 💜
03/02/2026

Mina Junio

We met Tito Ruben and Tita Glo when they became our neighbors in Villa Angela, Angeles City.My late sisterMarie Reinares was a classmate and close friend of Sandra and her cousin Valerie. My sister took me and my mom Shirley, to the Masangcaay's home to meet them. Tita Glo and Tito Ruben were always kind and hospitable. They love to chat and were really very pleasant. Sandra would also frequently visit our home too.. The friendship grew over the years. It was sad to see them go back to the States. With the new technology and social media I was able to reconnect with Sandra and her husband Renee who was also a neighbor in Villa Angela. At one point Sandra planned for me and Tita Glo to meet up but unfortunately with our schedules it never materialized. I regret that it meeting never happened or I would have said that I had given Tita Glo a tight hug and a kiss. Tita Glo, may your soul rest in eternal peace.. And to Sands, Renee, Junior, Ritchie and Marie and your families, our condolences and prayers.. May the beautiful memories that you all shared give you comfort, strength and love in this difficult time. Love and Sympathies from Jun & Miina Junio and family. , 🙏💜💐
03/02/2026

Marilou Cartago

We already missed you auntie Gloria😘 I just want to thank you so much for your Love, big smile, your delicious cooking, & babysitting Marquesa along with your grand daughter Reena when they growing up. You will always be forever in our hearts. Always will cherish our family gatherings with you playing poker (quarter more!). Rest In Paradise & let the perpetual light shine upon her. 🙏✝️💐💜 Love You Auntie Glo❣️ Bebe
03/02/2026

J. BRANDON MASANGCAY

My heart broke when I read of your passing 'Dang Gloria. I saw our first picture together on my baby book of you standing me up on a washing machine...I couldn't have been more than two years old. I also recall and credit you when the first and only time I visited the Philippines for my paternal grandfather's funeral, you informed me that the Filipino I thought I knew how to speak was a mixture of Kapampangan and Tagalog. I never knew nor was I ever taught which was which. No wonder people just looked at me at the palengke. Speaking of the palengke, I really gave you a scare when passed out. I'm sure you're happy to be finally with your beloved husband and the rest of our clan. Always looked forward to seeing you when I was home on leave. I'm going to miss you very much. ❤️ n 😘, Joseph

Your Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Business Name:
Description of Useful Link / Service:

Obituaries