Visitacion Penetrante Cayanan, known as Visie, was born on March 16, 1947 in Iguig, Cagayan, Philippines to Olimpio and Catalina Penetrante. She was their eldest child. Visie’s parents taught their children that God, family and education were important. These were values she would later pass down to her children and grandchildren. Visie received her degree in teaching at Philippine Normal College in 1969. She taught at the elementary level and was proud to be a part of this profession.
Visie would later be introduced by a cousin to Arturo J. Cayanan. Both Visie and Art’s fathers were in the Philippine Army and both families settled in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City, Philippines. Art had joined the US Navy in 1969. On a leave, Art proposed to Visie and they were married on February 27, 1972 at St. Michael’s Church in the Philippines. Later that year, their first child, Marialuisa (“Marilou”), was born. Art was at this time stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. Visie and Marilou immigrated to the United States in 1973; and in 1974, their second child, Gerald, was born.
Art’s military career would send the family to San Diego, California in 1977. Visie became a naturalized U.S. Citizen in 1979, which was a proud moment for her. It also meant that she would be able to petition her family so that they could come to the United States, and that is what she did. Art and Visie were able to petition their parents, who were then able to petition for their siblings. The Cayanan and Penetrante Families would refer to their home as “Ellis Island” because this is where they would first visit upon their arrival in the U.S.
Visie’s second career would begin in San Diego. She became a nurse’s aide and worked in a skilled nursing facility. She would later continue her education and become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She worked at Grossmont Hospital as well as skilled nursing facilities in San Diego County. Visie did take a break from nursing when her third child, Michael, was born in 1985. She would later return and retire from this profession after 36 years.
The family continued to grow. In 1998, Marilou married Jeremy Shelledy and they would give Art and Visie their first grandchild, Justin. In 2001, Gerald married Michelle Bonit.
In 2003, Art passed away, and Visie was left to be the head of the family. More grandchildren were born; Jacob and Jonas, Marilou’s sons, and Nathaniel Arthur, Gerald’s son. That’s a total of 4 grandsons, who were Visie’s pride and joy. She would help take care of her grandchildren and retire early so that she could help even more.
Visie loved going to church, singing, and being with her family. She enjoyed watching her favorite Filipino soap operas and CNN. She would guide her children and grandchildren, giving them advice and teaching them the values imparted from her parents. She would always say, “Knowledge is power” and you would always hear “I love you.”
In November 2016, Visie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, which shocked family and friends since Visie was very healthy. With medications, Visie was able to live long enough to see 2 grandchildren promote from middle school and her first grandson graduate from high school. She was even able to be there for his first day of college and was so happy when he completed his first year. Even though she had a difficult time, she was able to enjoy her time with her family, and knew that her prayer of a miracle was answered because she was still with her family.
Visie prayed a lot. She not only prayed for her family but for anyone she had heard was having difficulty. She was a confidant to many. People knew that if you told Visie what was in your heart, it would go from her ears to God and no one else. Visie was the most kind, compassionate, and hard working person. It is no wonder that she chose two helping professions of teaching and nursing.
Visie was Manang or Ate (“Big Sister”) to not only her siblings (William (Elizabeth), Gilbert (Bella), Rudy (Edith), Teresita (Marcelo), Gloria (Luis)) but her in-laws (Genaro (Elsie), Antonio (Estelita), Elizabeth (Francisco), Virgie (Sixto), Annie (Francisco), Narciso (Glynis)) as well. She was the auntie that her nieces and nephews adored.
Visie passed away peacefully on July 3, 2019. Her greatest achievement was being a mother and grandmother. She leaves behind a family who will continue to pass down the values she treasured most. They will remember to pray, to be kind to one another, to be a life-long learner, and to always say “I love you.”
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