Violeta Balmaceda Salud

Violeta Balmaceda Salud, 80, of Lake Wales, Florida passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend to so many.

Born on March 28, 1946, in Naga City, Philippines, to Zoilo and Guadalupe (Panelo) Balmaceda, Violeta held a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Business Administration from New York University. She founded Violeta B. Salud and Associates and served her community and clients as a financial advisor before retiring in 2025. Violeta also held an Adjunct Faculty position at Warner University, Lake Wales, FL.

After living in New York City, NY, Hartford, CT, and Lakeland, FL, Violeta and her family relocated to Lake Wales, Florida in 1974, where she became a dedicated education and community advocate. Violeta served on and chaired numerous boards, including Prevent Blindness America, Florida State Board of Community Colleges, Holy Spirit Parish Finance Council, Webber International University, Vanguard School, United Way of Polk County, Lake Wales Care Center, Imperial Symphony Guild of Lake Wales, and the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce. She also served several years on the boards of American Bank and Trust of Polk County, Bank of Central Florida, the City of Lake Wales Employee Pension Board, and the YMCA of Lake Wales.

For her dedication to the community, Violeta received the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 1998, the Rotary Club of Lake Wales Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1992, the Polk County School Board National Volunteer Recognition Award in 1990, and the Lake Wales YMCA Distinguished Leadership Award in 1989.

Violeta was a faithful member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales. She loved to travel the world and embraced her role as Lola to her six grandchildren. She found great joy celebrating birthdays and graduations; attending music, dance, and theater performances; and watching their soccer games, swim meets, and gymnastics meets.

Violeta is survived by her husband of 55 years, Eusebio; daughter, Aileen (Matthew); sons Christopher (Solimar) and Jonathan (Rachel); grandchildren Olivia (Isaiah), Julia, Audrey, Jocelyn, Alexander, and Lucy; cousins, nieces, and nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved son, Irwin.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 644 9th Street, Lake Wales, Florida. The family will receive visitors from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. prior to the Funeral Mass in the Chapel at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider a memorial donation in Violeta’s name to Bok Tower Gardens online at www.boktowergardens.com/donate, by phone at 863-734-1213, or by mail:

Bok Tower Gardens, Inc.

Philanthropy and Membership

1151 Tower Boulevard

Lake Wales, FL 33863