Manuela Balon Mariano's Obituary
Celebrating the life of Manuela Balon Mariano, 86, who passed away on July 4, 2015. She was born on March 19, 1929 in Barangay #8, San Antonio, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was the second of five children born to Fulgencio Balon and Florencia “Tereza” Bumanglag.
Her first and only job was a housekeeper at the Ilikai Hotel; being hired when they first opened their doors in 1964. She retired in 1992, after serving for 28 years. After retirement, she devoted her time to care for her husband, Manuel, until his death in 1998.
She lived in Honolulu and in Waipahu, Hawaii and was married to Manuel Rivera Mariano on January 22, 1944 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She was a member of The Iglesia Filipina Independiente in the Philippines and St. Paul’s Episcopal and Philippine Independent Church in Honolulu. She was also a member of the Sarrat Namnama Cooperative in the Philippines and the Namnama Ti Abagatan Ti Carayan USA, Inc.
Her most important events were: her marriage, the birth of her children and grandchildren, the graduations of her grandchildren, being crowned a queen in 1981 during the Fiesta in Santa Rosa, Sarrat, celebrating her Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1994, becoming the First Hermana Mayor for St. Paul’s Church in 2001. Her favorite song was “Spanish Eyes.” She was a strong, loyal, fighter, giving, and loving person.
She is survived by daughter, Gabriela “Ella” (Freddie) Bueno; daughter-in-law, Fely Mariano; brother, Remedios (Jacinta) Balon; eight grandchildren, Yvette, Benjamin, Shannon and Janet Mariano, Diana and Dwayne Bueno, Darlene (Roy) Ilaga, and Dwight (Cindy) Bueno; eight great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Visitation to her evening wake service will be from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2015 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary; eulogy and family service to begin at 6:30 p.m. and wake service to begin at 7:00 p.m. Additional visitation for her funeral service will be from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015 at. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Mass to begin at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow 1:00 p.m. at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.
What’s your fondest memory of Manuela ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Manuela ?
Share a story where Manuela 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Manuela you’ll never forget.
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