Emperatriz Cabatu Cabe

Emy was born on May 12, 1931, in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines. She was the daughter of Mamerto and Beatriz Cabatu and the third of nine children. Despite growing up during such times as World War II, Emy was close to her family and later studied law, becoming a real estate attorney for the Bureau of Lands.

Emy married Dr. Claudio M. Cabe on January 28, 1960, and they had four children together in Manila, the Philippines. While in Manila, Emy was known to welcome many into her home—cousins, nieces, nephews, and her children’s friends—becoming a second mother to them. Eventually, Emy and the children followed the patriarch, Claudio, to the United States by the 1990s. As Emy and Claudio reached retirement, they traveled the world, from the former Soviet Union to Australia, often bringing home souvenirs and stories for their rapt grandchildren. They were especially devoted to going on pilgrimages to holy sites like Jerusalem and Fatima. At home, they threw bustling parties with plenty of food, especially at their adored beach house in New Buffalo, Michigan. She in fact was known as “Grandma Beach” by her grandnieces and grandnephews.

Emy is survived by her children, Lorenzo, Ramon, Emmanuel, and Claudine; their spouses, Annabelle, Ma. Theresa, and Patrick; her six grandchildren, Anna, Marc, Pauline, Marielle, Lorenz, and Lauren, and Marc’s wife, Lauren; her surviving siblings, Florida, Onofre, and Erlinda; and many other relatives. She will be remembered for her sharp wit, her tough and tenacious character, her fondness for red lipstick, her love for cooking, gardening, pets, and historical television dramas, her voracious reading, her strong Catholic faith, and her enormous love and support for her family and friends.