Gilda Molabola Alcala, 82 years old, passed away peacefully at her home in Naples, Florida after battling a chronic neurological disease for years. She was surrounded by her loving family and her loyal caregiver, Lovely.
Gilda was born in Leyte, Philippines, the eldest of five children. She graduated from Far Eastern University Medical School in Manila. Following graduation, she traveled to the United States for her pediatric residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. It is there she met her husband, Liberato.
Both of them eventually moved to Joliet, Illinois, where they served as pediatricians for the community for decades. She cared for many children during her time with Glenwood Medical Group, St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was Chairman of Pediatrics from 2009-2011, and in private practice with her husband.
Gilda received numerous awards and honors, and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Once she and Liberato retired, they moved to Naples to be closer to family.
Gilda is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Liberato; sons Mark and Brian; sister, Isabel (Nierras), and brother, Alejandro; many cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, Tedorico and Otelia; two other siblings, Corazon (Lazarte) and Feliciano; and numerous relatives.
A funeral Mass for Gilda will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 11:00am at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 415 NE 105th Street in Miami Shores, Florida. The service will be live-streamed on the Church’s YouTube Channel.
https://youtube.com/@st.roseoflimacatholicchurc509?feature=shared.
And on the Church’s Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FTsSTUwm2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
There will also be a reception following the Mass at the Miami Shores Country Club at 10000 Biscayne Boulevard.
The family would also like to greatly thank Vitas Healthcare for their high quality of compassion, professionalism, expertise, and service.
Donations in Gilda Alcala’s name can be made to CurePSP, at www.psp.org.
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
Cristeta Lorica-Gatdula, M.D.
May 28, 2025, 7:30 pm
2 Corinthians 5:8- Absent from the body, present with the Lord.
I will remember our good old days as close and best friends during our studies in Medicine. Together we
strived and studied so hard to achieve our goal to be a doctor of Medicine. And we did.
Our friendship ended when God , by His grace , we were accepted in USA to further our specialty in Medicine. Those days will be always in my mind and will never be forgotten.
See you in heaven my dear friend Gilda when Jesus Christ calls me home!
Rest In Peace!
Jim Montoya
May 31, 2025, 12:17 am
Dear Alcala Family.
I pray that the Lord is with you all during this time. I pray that God almighty will unite all of you and that Mrs. Alcala’s love is reminded amongst you all daily.
God bless you.
Lawrence Lazarte
May 31, 2025, 3:03 pm
My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Uncle Bert, Mark, Brian and all of Auntie Gilda’s loved ones. She was the best aunt.