Eleanor Choy Abella's Obituary
Dr. Eleanor Choy Abella, 59, passed away peacefully at her home in Gainesville, FL surrounded by her loving husband, children, and immediate family. She battled GBM (Glioblastoma Multiforme) courageously for 22 months before succumbing to the disease.
She was born on October 19,1966 in Baguio City, Philippines to Olympio Choy and Carmen Wong, whose boundless humble dedication to family and community helped shape the values she carried throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Anthony Choy MD.
With more than 25 years of medical service, Dr. Abella was widely respected for her dedication to patient care and her advocacy for preventative health screenings, particularly through her work at various clinics and counties under the umbrella of the Florida – Department of Health.
Dr. Abella graduated from Saint Louis University – College of Medicine in Baguio City, Philippines in 1991, worked for a few years in Baguio and Manila, then completed her Internship and residency training in General Pediatrics at the University of Florida Health –Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida in 1998. She continued further and subspecialized in Neonatology at the University of California, Irvine – Irvine, California.
Brilliant in Mathematics, she initially wanted to be a Civil Engineer and won local math competitions at the university. However, her mom persuaded her to focus on Medicine instead as her traditional mom often says “no girl goes to civil engineering school “.
She always wanted to practice Medicine in the Philippines but her overwhelming compassion towards her destitute patients prevented her from doing so and thus can drive her towards personal bankruptcy, as she tries to shoulder everything, from diagnostics to medications. Despite growing up comfortable in life, her affinity and compassion towards the downtrodden and unfortunate remain steadfast.
Beyond medicine, Eleanor lived a life full of joy and compassion, centered on faith, family, and community. Introverted and very shy, she was a silent active member of Holy Faith Catholic Church in Gainesville and contributed financially in building the new Parish Life Center. She also gave contributions to various research causes associated with the University of Florida.
Eleanor was first and foremost a loving and caring wife to Jackson and mom to her three children, Hannah, Joshua, and Joseph. Hannah is currently a DPT at UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital here in Gainesville; Joshua, an Accountant at Deloitte, Tampa, FL; and Joseph, a junior at the University of Florida aiming for a DPharm degree. She loves baking and cooking, preparing her meals intricately; how it’s cooked at specific temperatures, ingredients weighed accurately, how vegetables should be “crispy, not soft and saggy”, and lastly how it is presented aesthetically at the table. She acquired this behavior from her mom who worked at several restaurants before venturing into her own furniture business in Baguio City.
A woman of boundless energy and enthusiasm, Eleanor joined several half marathons supporting various causes concerning women and children’s health and breast cancer awareness and prevention. She traveled the world with husband Jackson and the three kids. In a foreign country, she never gets lost as she seems to possess an internal compass in her, always aware of the correct direction and reads complex train maps and bus routes in a matter of a few seconds. She can speak Cantonese and Mandarin thus can order her food in Mandarin in Chinese owned restaurants here and abroad. She can technically disassemble and assemble small household appliances that can break down over time like a seasoned factory worker while husband Jackson does the heavy-duty stuff around the house.
Dr. Eleanor Choy Abella will forever be remembered for her faith, her compassion, her humility, her sense of humor, and her zeal for life. She will be deeply missed by her beloved husband, Jackson – married together for 29 years ; her children Hannah, Joshua, and Joseph ; and siblings Anthony (+) (Alyce) and kids Heidi, Jonas, and Jasper; Bernard Choy (Jean) and kids Christian and Janelle ; Constancio (Emmi) and kids Chester, Mark and Christine; Dolores (Ramon) and kids Randolph, Kevin, Danielli, and Angeli; Fatima; Gregory (Emelyn) and kids Kenneth, Aldrin, Nikko ; Hilarion (Sheila) and kids Lance, Patricia, Beatrice, Harvey; Imelda (Bryan) and daughter Addison. Her memory will also be forever cherished by numerous friends and colleagues here in Gainesville and around the world.
A Celebration of Life and Eucharistic Celebration will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Holy Faith Catholic Church,747 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32607 with guest reception one hour prior. Lunch to follow at PLC (Parish Life Center).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ANCOP USA – Answering the Cry of the Poor Foundation – a non-profit helping uplift countless lives of unfortunate Filipinos in the Philippines.
Ancop USA
Answering the Cry Of the Poor
https://ancopusa.org
What’s your fondest memory of Eleanor?
What’s a lesson you learned from Eleanor?
Share a story where Eleanor's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Eleanor you’ll never forget.
How did Eleanor make you smile?