Elena Rudica Seldon

Elena Rudica Seldon transitioned from this life, on January 17, 2022, at the age of ninety-one. Elena Rudica was born June 2, 1929 in Saluysoy, Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines to the union of Erene Milan and Candido Rudica. Elena was the eldest of five children, including sisters Rosing, Maria, Carmen and brother Francisco Kikoy. Elena contributed to the well-being of her family starting at the tender age of eight, leaving school abruptly due to the events of World War II. She worked as a nanny, housekeeper, vendor in the markets, and laborer in the rice fields. Elena always had a generous spirit and kind heart, and she enjoyed helping others in their time of need. Elena met the love of her life Handy L. Seldon at a MacArthur sight-seeing tour near Guadalupe in the Philippines. When Elena laid eyes on Handy it was love at first sight. Despite the language barrier, the two were kindred spirits and their bond was unbreakable. The couple wed on May 22, 1947. On July 27, 1947, Elena left her home for America. The couple decided to reside in St. Michaels, Maryland, Handy’s hometown, where they started raising their family. Elena and Handy had eight children while living in Maryland. Under the guidance of her sister-in-law, Pastor Beatrice Cephas, Elena accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in 1950 at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. By 1961, Handy L. Seldon was appointed Pastor of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church and the family relocated to Trenton, New Jersey. Elena served as First Lady for sixty plus years for the Pentecostal diocese. With US Citizenship in hand, Elena and her family officially settled in Ewing, New Jersey. They had three more children making the Seldon household a total of eleven. She would later return to the Philippines bringing her mother Lola back to live with their family in America. Elena dedicated her life to the church and her family. As a mother, she viewed acting as homemaker and nurturing her children as an outstanding gift that was the heartbeat of her life. She was dedicated and passionate about sharing the gospel message, and she raised her children with fear and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ. Her love and sacrifice as a mother of a special needs daughter, Theresa, kept the family grounded in unconditional love. Elena was an advent gardener; you could always expect fresh collard greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and string beans to name a few. She loved to cook with signature dishes including homemade rolls, pancit, rice pudding, homemade coconut cake and sweet potato pie. She loved reading her bible and daily word, solving cross word puzzles, hand sewing, and worshiping while hanging clothes on the line. Elena kept an immaculately clean home, even with children and grandchildren running around. Elena had a special and unique relationship with each of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, as well as with a host of family and friends. Elena was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-five years, Bishop Handy L. Seldon, her parents Candido Rudica and Erene Milan, siblings Rosing, Francisco Kikoy, and Carmen, and a loving daughter Theresa Alphia and granddaughter Kim Seldon. She leaves to mourn one sister, Maria Tubongbanua, ten Children, Patrice Pride (Nathaniel), Antonio Seldon (Michelle), Catherine Smith, Philander Seldon (Sonya), Handy Seldon III, Carmen Scott (Stephen), Elena Seldon Williams, Learie Fletcher (Sterling), Christina Johnson (Brian) and Shelby Walker (Derrick), twenty-eight Grand-Children, Jon Garnett, Sherri Garnett McMullen (Anthony), Denise Peterson, Antonio Seldon Jr. (Ryanne), Christopher Seldon, Christina Seldon, Christian Seldon, Christie Seldon, Eric Smith (Daphne), Jarine Smith, Philander Seldon Jr., Kalanee Andino (Osvaldo), Handy Seldon IV (Melanie), Jason Seldon (Ryan), Symone Seldon, Carl Leonard, Sr. (LaToya), Tamira Ambros (Anthony), Adia Smith (Jared), Melvin Williams III, Elena Williams, Kahlil Harris, Kahlila Seldon, Baquiya Seldon, Jade Fletcher, Xavier Johnson (Elizabeth), Anja Johnson, Gerard Long, Brianna Atkins, Seldon Walker and Ashley Walker; forty-six Great Grand-Children, Sydney Garnett, Synclaire Garnett, Soleil Garnett, Monay Bennett (Jonson), Toni McMullen, Joshua Jones, Maui Seldon, Kikoy Seldon, Aignee Williams, Cortaz Williams, Coleon Williams, Alaya Seldon, Aries Jones, Jeuel Merritt, Noah Merritt, Reuel Merritt, Jr., Meylena Seldon, Adrian Flores Jr., Elijah Ward (Jasmine), Tymir Bethea, McKenzie Christie, Josiah Andino, Kyla Andino, Jordyn Seldon, Natalie Rodriquez Seldon, Siannie Guiterrez Seldon, Makayla Seldon, Kassidy Morris, Nirvana Leonard, Kiara Leonard, Ava Leonard, Carl Leonard, Jr., Naiyah Ambros, Aliana Ambros, Jurnie Smith, Ian Smith, Zoe Smith, Josie Smith, Livia Cates, Kai Harris, Kali Harris, Kahlaya Harris, Olivia Seldon, Amari Seldon, Kemet Baxter, Trenton Long, two additional Long’s and Ilo Atkins; six Great-Great Grand-Children, Tristin Garnett Thomas, London Bennett, Jayceon Bennett, Jay’anni Williams, Milani Williams and Nyla Ward; and a large loving family in the Philippines, a special Godson Ervin Elsey, and a host of friends. *********************** Funeral Livestream Information: 11 A.M., Friday, January 28, 2022 https://boxcast.tv/view/mom-seldon-home-going-service-th1sjls4lybwtvawwrym

Elena Rudica Seldon

June 2, 1929 - January 17, 2022