Ivy Alta

Ivy Alta, age 48, beloved mother, daughter, and loving soul, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

One of seven children born to Teodorico and Rufina Mana-ay, Ivy’s early life began in the Philippines with the tragic passing of her mother Rufina at birth. With seven children to raise on his own, much of Ivy’s strength and character came from the incredible resilience her father Teodorico showed raising his family. 

When Ivy turned 18, she and her family had the opportunity to move to the United States due to her dad’s service as a Philippine Scout during World War II. All veterans of World War II were privileged to be US citizens after their service, so Teodorico took his family in search of the American dream. Teodorico was a man of prayer who always put his children before himself. He worked hard to give them every opportunity to succeed in America and Ivy appreciated and took advantage of that. 

When she first came to America, she worked nights and studied at Passaic County Community College during the day to advance her career as a nurse. She worked at the Oakland Care Center where she eventually became a certified nursing assistant through her hard work and determination. During this time, a friend of hers introduced her to a mutual friend Wilfredo Alta and the two quickly fell in love. They started a family together and were blessed with two children: Kathlyn and Kyle. 

Ivy will be remembered for her love of gardening and her obsession with Chinese and Korean Dramas. She also loved the Korean boyband BTS and any movies or shows that featured Wang Yibo. She loved Wang Yibo so much, she used to drive her kids to a movie theater an hour away in New York as that was the closest place playing his movies! Most of all, Ivy loved spending time with her family. They regularly enjoyed big barbecue’s while listening to her favorite original pinoy music. Ivy was well-known for her beautiful singing and love of karaoke. Ivy’s family and friends will miss her selfless, caring, hardworking and fun nature. 

Ivy is survived by her children Kyle and Kathlyn Alta; and her siblings: Dennie Suresca and family, Eden Sinaon and family, Gertrude Mana-ay, Lorenzo Mana-ay and family, Gemma Mana-ay, and Arnulfo Mana-ay and family.