Leonila Ribao Sahagun's Obituary
Valley of the Temples Memorial Park and Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary are saddened to announce the passing of Leonila Sahagun.
Leonila Ribao Sahagun, 69, passed away peacefully on June 5th, 2024, with her family at her side. She was born in #10 San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on January 19, 1955. Leonila was the fifth oldest of eight children, five brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her husband Mariano; her daughter: Sheryl (Michael); her two sons: Leomar and Jon (Abbigail); and three grandchildren: Katherine, Courtney, and Mason.
Leonila graduated from High School at Ilocos Norte School of Arts and Trades, Philippines in 1975. In High School she was an active leader in the Girl Scouts and CAT (Citizens Army Training). It was during High School that Leonila met the future love of her life, Mariano. After graduating from High school, Leonila and Mariano just so happened to enroll in the same summer class for typewriting. During this summer, Leonila and Mariano’s relationship blossomed into a beautiful relationship and they started dating. She would go on to finish her freshman year of college at Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades before moving to Guam, USA in 1976. After two long years, in 1978, she went back to the Philippines and got married to Mariano. They had one child in the Philippines (Leomar) before moving their family to Hawaii in 1981. In Hawaii, Leonila had two more children (Sheryl and Jon), completing their family. In 1983 Leonila became an American Citizen. It is also in 1983 when Leonila would start working for Watumull’s. Her tireless dedication, sacrifice, and hard work ethic would lead her to be promoted throughout the years. She would go on to work at Watumull’s for 37 years, as a Retail Sales Manager for most of that time, until she retired as an office clerk in 2020. After retirement, Leonila spent her time enjoying life, tending to her flowers, and spending time with family and friends. On May 12, 2024 Leonila and Mariano celebrated 46 years of marriage.
Leonila was known by her friends and family for her faith, humbleness, honesty, and quality to stay true to herself. Her friends and family knew they could always trust her for her support and words of wisdom. She loved those close to her with great passion and always included those she called friends and family in her daily prayers. Leonila lived her life to her fullest. She was not one to engage in a lot of excitement very often and would rather revel in peaceful moments. She enjoyed her quiet times with her husband, children, friends, and family, engaging in soft conversations about life. She especially enjoyed the company of her grandchildren and always looked forward to their visits, phone calls, and special occasions where she could send money and gifts. Leonila loved to cook. She had a wide variety of recipes that she enjoyed making for friends and family. A popular request among family and friends was her famous pancit and pork and peas. For potlucks, everyone looked forward to Leonila’s pancit. She always had a hot meal on the table for her husband and children in the evening. She also enjoyed sewing and made curtains, dresses, shirts, and pajamas for her children.
Leonila was an incredible wife, mother, and grandmother that dedicated her life to her family and faith. She leaves behind a lifetime of beautiful memories with her family and friends. Her love, lessons, and teachings will last for her family’s generations to come, and she will be greatly missed by all. We will always remember her for her big heart, kind nature, warm personality, and for the love she always spread across her friends and family.
The public wake will be held on July 23, 2024, at Valley of the Temples Makai Chapel starting at 5:30 PM. Catholic Prayer Service and Remembrances will start at 6:00 PM.
The visitation will be on July 24, 2024, starting at 10:00 AM, Family remembrance will start at 11:00 AM, Catholic Prayer service at 12:15 PM, The Burial will be at Valley of the Temples, Chapel Hill at 1:00 PM.
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