Cold Spring – Gliceria "Gles" Bagtas Baldres-Walsh, a resident of Cold Spring since 2010, formerly of Queens and the Philippines, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022. She was 76 years old.
Gliceria, the daughter of Simon and Francisca (Caparas) Bagtas, was born in the Philippines on December 21, 1945. She attended Jose Rizal High School at Arellano University in Manila. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1965 and her Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Communication Arts in Filipino and a Minor in Communication Arts in English in 1969 from Arellano University. In 1987, she received her Bachelor of Laws from San Sebastian College in Manila. In addition, she also received her Master's in Theology from Maryhill School of Theology in the Philippines, and Master's of Science in Education specializing in Early Childhood Education from the City College of New York, Touro College.
Gliceria had an extensive career including her tenure as a High School Classroom Teacher for 27 years at the Juan Sumulong High School-Arellano University in Manila from 1970-1997, working as a College Instructor at Arellano University in Manila from 1992-1997, a College Professor at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila from 1993-2001, Legal Counsel to Former Manila City Councilor Edward VP Maceda, a Group Teacher for the Pre-K and Kindergarten at Mary McLeod Bethune DCC in New York from June 2001 to June 2007, a Group Teacher for the Prince Hall Day Care Center in New York from 2007-2011, and she also cared for several elderly people when she retired from teaching.
Gles was a member of many groups and organizations including Lions International and Handmaids of the Lord. She was a former President of the Parent Teachers Association at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College, a former Vice President for Legal Affairs at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty Union, and former Barangay Secretary at Barangay Kapitolyo Pasig City Council. She was also former Secretary for her Vigilant Christian Team in the Philippines. She was a parishioner at St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, NY.
Besides having a remarkably busy working life, Gles also knew how to have fun. She LOVED to cook, sing, watch her favorite tv series such as Law and Order: SVU and Organized Crime, Chicago PD, and Lonestar: 911, and Filipino cooking shows on YouTube. She also loved video calling with her family in the Philippines and New Zealand multiple times every day – without fail and loved hearing stories about her great grandchildren. She also liked to plant, although she claimed she did not have a green thumb and would just let her daughter do it.
Gles is survived by her daughters, Ma. Christina Baldres of Bulacan, Philippines, Maria Minervah Buenaventura and her husband, Rogelio Jr., of Bulacan, Philippines and Ma. Jonna Bernadette Baldres of Cold Spring, NY; her grandchildren, Ricardo Jonas Baldres and his fiancee Jaylyn of New Zealand, and Julio Baldres II and his wife Chamil of Bulacan, Philippines; her great grandchildren, Choco, Star, Luna and Rhyah of Bulacan, Philippines; her siblings, Simeon Bagtas, and his wife, Purisima, of Reno, NV, Constancia Raymundo of Navotas Philippines, Demetrio Bagtas of Navotas, Philippines and Epifania Cartegena, and her husband, Salvador of Antipolo, Philippines. In addition, she leaves behind her grand cats, Pancho and Stormy Baldres of Cold Spring, NY.
In addition to her parents, Gliceria was predeceased by her daughter, Reina Baldres, her son, Jonas Baldres, her first husband, Julio Baldres, her second husband, William Walsh and her brothers, Raymundo Bagtas, Sisenando Bagtas and Alfonso Bagtas.
Calling Hours will be held Friday, April 1st from 5-7:30pm at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc. 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY followed by a service in the funeral home at 7:30 pm officiated by Rev. Adolf Occeno of St. Mary, Mother of the Church. Her burial will take place in the Philippines at a later date.