Obituary of Lorenza Bautista Mallari
Lorenza “Lori”, “Luring” Mallari (nee Bautista), 85, of Denville, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Jan 5, 2025 surrounded by her family.
Lorenza was the seventh of ten children born to Sisenando and Elena Bautista of Nueva Ecija, Philippines in 1939.
After she graduated from Cabiao High School in 1956, she went on to study accounting at the University of the East in Manila, Philippines. Not long after, a young Lorenza answered her front door for a serendipitous meeting with one Genaro Mallari. He was there for a blind date with one of Lorenza’s sisters, who had fallen ill. Suffice it to say, both were smitten as they exchanged pleasantries in her foyer. After a few years of chaperoned dates, as was the custom, Lorenza and Genaro were married in 1963.
Three kids followed over the next few years, during which time, they decided to take a chance and apply for visas to the US. Once approved, Lorenza and Genaro left for the United States in October 1970, becoming the first in their respective families to immigrate to America. Leaving three small children behind, they took their accounting backgrounds, $100 in cash, two suitcases, and boarded a plane to NYC. At first, they stayed at a friend’s place in Newark, New Jersey. Lorenza and Genaro found accounting positions immediately and became known as Lori and Gene. They saved fastidiously, moved into their own place and were able to be reunited with their children within seven months. After living in Newark and Belleville, they eventually settled in their house in Nutley, New Jersey.
Lori worked as an accountant at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 25 years and as the payroll manager at Clara Maass Memorial Hospital in Belleville. Honing her creative skills, Lori enjoyed sewing, crocheting, arts & crafts and gardening. She could take any empty space and fill it with color and texture. She loved cooking, traveling and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lori adored singing at church, attending Filipino parties and family reunions where line dancing was her specialty. As DI (dance instructor), she made sure everyone was following her steps on the dance floor.
Her family was her greatest joy. Married for 47 years, she is predeceased by her husband, Genaro Mallari; and son-in-law, Frederick Lynch. She is survived by her children Edmund (Lorie), Gene (Clarinda), and Lorilynn; 4 grand children, Michael (Lucy), Madelynn, Dylan and Alessandra; and 2 great-grand children, Milana and Leila. Also survived by siblings Enrique (Pacita), and Zenaida; 29 nieces and nephews and dozens of grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was regarded as everyone’s second mom and Lola (grandmother).
If you would like to continue Lori`s memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable donation to a charity of your choice!
Hours of public visitation for Lori are scheduled for 3 to 7PM with a vigil and memory sharing service at 6:30PM on Friday, January 10th, 2025, at Norman Dean Home for Services.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, January 11th, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church of Denville please click here to join the livestream.
We invite all who were touched by Lori`s presence to join us as we honor the beautiful life she lived. Please join us to celebrate the life of this incredible woman and use this time to share a memory, leave a condolence, or light a candle to continue to let Lori`s light shine!
