Loved her!  Such a kind heart!  She is with Jesus now!

Love this lovely lady and her smile.  She was a very kind person.
I will surely miss her.  I hope to see her again in heaven some day!
Lots of Love, Susan Ritchie




A writer once sat down and wrote these wonderful words which I believe is fitting to end my tribute to Mommy:

What though the radiance
which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of the splendor in the grass,
of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;

Let me part with these thoughts.  Some people say you never get to meet your heroes. But I say, if you’re really truly blessed, you get them as your Mother.  Happy Birthday Mommy.  Until I hold you close, till then, I’ll pray for you.  You will forever live in my heart. I love you Mommy. Your loving son, Gerry.



So many wonderful qualities Mommy has. But I guess, the one great characteristic she possesses is her profound sense of faith to the Lord and to Mama Mary.  In Manila, she was very active in the Catholic Church activities, being a member of the Catholic Women’s League.  She takes pride in serving the Lord in whatever way she can.  In our Miguelin household, October is always the month of the   holy rosary and she would gather the whole family together to pray the mysteries.  Wednesday is Baclaran Day for her to say her Novena to our Mother of Perpetual Help. Thursday is her Novena to St. Jude and Friday is Quiapo Day for the Black Nazarene. She even had her solemn vow as a Tertiary Sister of the Dominican Order.
I could go on forever telling you about Mommy and the least I can do now is to publicly acknowledge that she was the one person most responsible for shaping who I am. Thank you Mom for your extra ordinary ability to keep our family together. You were the strongest link in our household. We always drew our strength from you.  And as we bid you farewell today; we promise to keep the torch of your love and your memories burning in our hearts forever.
Let me take this opportunity to thank my siblings too – Ate Cynthia (deceased), Ate Lydia, Ate Olive, Kuya Boying, Kuya Jun, Kuya Nando and Rose.  Thank you for taking care of Mommy.  May I say a special thanks to Ate Lydia who lovingly and unselfishly took Mom in her abode. We know the sacrifices you painstakingly did to make her feel loved. A special shout out too to her grandchildren, I don’t have to mention all your names.  Thank you for showing her your love, your care, your concern and always readily, finding time for her. Mommy must be so grateful to have you as her Apo’s.  Maraming Salamat sa inyo!

(To be continued)

Mommy is a great Mananahi or seamstress.  I remembered how she would stay up late at night only because she has to rush to finish a dress her friends asked her to do for them. In fact, a lot of people even commissioned her to do their bridal gowns for their wedding. She makes the most amazing bridal gowns.  We even joked about it during our family gatherings since most of the ladies that wore Mom’s bridal creation are all happily separated now. So, we world forewarn them that if you want to have a long-lasting married life, never ask Mommy Concha to do your wedding dress. And she would just laugh it off
You see, Mommy is very funny too. Without her knowing it. 
In 1987, I had the wonderful experience to visit Europe to witness the canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz.  Mom asked me to go with her together with her friend Mrs. Jose (God rest her soul).  I remember when we were in Pisa, Italy. While holding a bottle of water on her right hand, Mommy asked me, in a kind of perplexed face “Gerry, PORTABLE ba ang tubig dito?” And I answered, “Yes Mommy, the bottle of water your holding here is PORTABLE. You can bring it anywhere. But it is also POTABLE, pwedo nyo po rin inumin.”  Realizing her mistake, she just gave a hearty laugh and scratched her head.
We knew we had a great mom because everybody else told us so. She mothered all our friends. She would wholeheartedly welcome our classmates and friends into our house, since our house is just a stone through away from our school UST. 

(to be continued)

This is the time of the year I get reveled in my holiday because I not only get to visit the US but I get to spend your birthday with you. For the past several years, this is an exciting occasion for me.  But this time, it’s different. Today as we mark your 94th birthday, we also return you to GOD, and sadly I won’t even have the chance to bid you goodbye. 
My mother, Mommy Conch or Concha to most of you would be very pleased and happy to see that you made it all here today. I am pretty sure she will be crying right now, knowing how you made her feel very special.  In addition to this, your words of comfort and expression of condolences to our family during this sad day assures us all the more that Mommy Concha is indeed loved by all of you.  
They say that a mother is a woman like no other. Mommy is our single biggest role model.  A woman of deep faith and a paragon of strength.   When dad left us, Mom held the family together and raised us under difficult circumstances. She pursued an enduring effort to raise us, making sure her children will enter portals of college with the diploma in sight. 
Being the 7th child in the family, I have my share of favors from Mommy.  For one, I get to sleep beside her in the blue room of our house in Miguelin. Sampaloc, Manila.  And in the morning, I would wake up with breakfast that she brought from the “palengke,” usually a “kakanin” which she knows is my favorite.  
(to be continued)

Mommy was everything.  She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, prayer warrior, seamstress, bingo fanatic, babysitter and everything else in between.  She was our rock, our strength and glue that allowed everyone to come together especially during this last decade or so of her life.  She is also one of the most loving, caring and selfless people I know.

Mommy, I can still see you sitting on the bed, back leaning against the wall, eyes closed with your Bible open on your lap.  That’s how she started and ended her day every day for as long as I can remember.  She taught me how to pray and led by example.  

I am grateful for the times we spent together through the years.  From looking for the best Beanie Baby that would make the most profit to playing Bingo together.  From teaching me how to make shorts to shopping for material for my 6th grade graduation and Prom dress.  From going with you to work to taking you to church with us.  From guiding and taking care of me to taking care of my own daughter, your great granddaughter.

There’s so many memories that I will always treasure.  Thank you for your encouragement and always believing in me!  I love you and will miss you so much!  

We lost you but I am grateful for the (almost) 94 years that God has given you to us.  I am consoled in knowing you are with Mama and know you, Mama and Ate Georjean will be waiting for us.  Please continue to watch and pray over us!  I love you Mommy!  💖

Happy Birthday Mommy! We are so blessed to have had you in our lives for almost 94 years.  Please watch over us. I can’t wait to hug you again.  I love you so much. ♥️

My favorite memories were all the times you babysat me, my siblings and cousins at the Vicente’s house. I’m sorry for all the times we ever drove you crazy. Thank you for always taking care of us, mommy. You are our rock. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. 

I remember when I always asked you for candy in your room and you never really had any but when you did, you always gave it to me. I remember you had a cookie tin in your room and when I opened it, it was sewing supplies. You laughed at me.

I remember we would go outside to the front yard and help me up to play in the trees. I remember you would sit on the steps watching me while I looked for four leaf clovers. Every time I found one I gave it to you. You laminated it and would bring it with you to bingo. I thought it was so cool.

I miss you mommy. I will miss your smile and laugh. I love you forever. Rest In Peace. 


When I was little, I remember you used to make my school uniforms and they fit me perfectly... I remember you gave me money sometimes so I could buy pande coco from the nearby bakery, and chocolaite from the Magnolia vendor some mornings... I remember I ran to your room and cried hysterically one afternoon coz a stray cat took and ate my pet sisiw. You looked at me and said, "Hayaan mo na... Heto ang piso, bumili ka ng pande coco!" so that I would stop crying... I remember how beautiful you were at my wedding and how happy and content I was that even though Mama wasn't with us anymore, you were there... I am so blessed to have you as my Lola, I will miss you... I love you so much Mommy Conch! 

I could go on forever telling you how wonderful Mommy is. And the least that I can do now is to publicly acknowledge that she was the one person most responsible for shaping who  I am. Thank you Mom for your extraordinary ability to keep our family together. You were the strongest link in our household. We always drew our strength from you.  And as we bid you farewell,  we promise to keep the torch of your love burning in our hearts forever.

Some people say you never get to meet your heroes. But I say, if you’re really truly blessed, you get them as your Mother.  Happy Birthday Mommy.  Until I hold you close, till then, I’ll pray for you.  You will forever live in my heart. I love you Mommy. Your loving son, Gerry.

I will always remember sitting right next to you in our 4Runner - on our way to church, on our road trip to Santa Barbara, to Newport Beach, to the Chinese buffets, you name it. Wherever we went, I always sat next to you because I wanted to make sure you were safe and had your seat belt on.

I will always remember coming into your room after school while you watched your teleseryes. I would do homework or even practice the violin in there. You always encouraged me and said I was really good even though I am pretty sure I was horrible and didn’t know what I was doing yet.

I will always remember your smile while I played Hot Cross Buns on the recorder over and over again…

I will always remember how comfortable you made me feel whenever I played some instrument or even danced. I have always been so shy and reserved when it came to those things, but you made me feel fearless. Seeing you happy made me happy; it was that million dollar smile that won me over every single time. 

I will always remember you letting me play snake on your Nokia phone and mess with the ringtones because you knew how much I really wanted a cellphone. 

I will always remember helping you take care of Aly as well as you helping me play dress up. 

I will always remember you almost taking a fat bite of wasabi because you thought it was green tea ice cream. 

Though I don’t remember too much, these memories will hold a special place in my heart. You have done above and beyond for your children, your grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank you for being a mother to us all. Thank you for showing us what love is. Thank you for giving us a family. Thank you for being a mother to my dad and teaching him what it is like to be a parent; because of you, I have the best dad in the world. I’m sure he learned his parenting skills from someone so great - you. 

Saying thank you is such an understatement, but know that we are all so grateful and so fortunate. Like you always say - God bless.

Dear Mommy Concha,
	Thank you for giving me the warmest smiles and holding my hand everytime we see each other. I'm sorry we weren't able to spend a lot of time together.  I hope you are okay there with Lola Cynthia... I am happy that you are not alone.  I will miss you...
                                 					Love,
									Abi

Thank you Mommy. 

Thank you Mommy for all the memories that we've shared together. I will always remember Sundays. Moments like praying with you, helping you walk down the aisle to receive communion, holding your hand during the "Our Father" prayer and holding it  for moments after the prayer was finished. I will always remember going to Burger King with you after mass. Getting your favorite drink, Coke with no ice.  And of course playing "table soccer" while waiting for our food. We would ball up the wrappers from our straws and whoever could flick their ball off their opponents side of the table would win. Thank you for these memories, Mommy. 

Thank you Mommy for all the lessons you've taught me. Through your daily routine of reading scripture and partaking in prayer you've taught me how to enhance my faith. You taught me how to sew on a button, use a sewing machine, and how to do simple stitch. You taught me how to play bingo. And most importantly, you taught me how to make a bomb BLT sandwich and Vienna Sausage. Thank you for these lessons, Mommy. 

Thank you Mommy for all the gifts you've given me. I will forever treasure all the jewelry, clothes, and other items. But one gift from you that I will always cherish is the gift of family. The Catama family would not be the Catama family if it weren't for you. Because of you, I have amazing aunts, uncles, and cousins. All of whom reflect you in some way or another.  You will forever be the rock and foundation of our family. Thank you for these gifts, Mommy. 

Thank you Mommy.  I will keep you.. along with all the memories, lessons, and gifts.. forever in my heart. 

How do you say goodbye to a loving mother?

Concha de Jesus Catama was born in Tarlac, Philippines on May 30, 1926. She would have been 94 years old on the day of her burial, May 30, 2020. She died peacefully on May 20, 2020 at 10:57pm. 

It is a common fact that Kapangpangan are good cooks. She was not only a good cook but a good seamstress (modista). She made our school uniforms from elementary to college.  She would make wedding gowns for my cousins, nieces and friends. To help her in her many sewing orders, she taught me how to finish the hems of dresses. She would take me to the wet market (palengke) and introduced me to her regular vendors (suke). Eventually, I became her runner to the wet market. She also taught me how to wash and iron clothes.

Ever since she arrived in the Maryland in 1988, my mother had been staying with my older sister, Lydia. She lovingly cared for her in the last 5 years of her life. We are forever grateful for her selfless care for our mother. 

It was only in June 2018 when I brought my mom with me to Las Vegas.   I was able to take care of her for even a short period of time.  We would watched our teleseryes together.  My mother would switch the channel to GMA whenever the TFC drama is on commercial break and vice versa. 

Those special memories will always bring a smile.  If only I could turn back the time, then we could sit back and watch those teleserye just like we used to do. 

May you now rejoice in God's peace and eternal light where there is no more pain and suffering but only pure bliss in the company of Jesus, Mary and all the celestial courts of heaven. I know in time, grieving will pass and will turn this darkness into light in God's Most Holy Presence and in Mama Mary's loving embrace.  Love U forever, Mom!  Until we meet again.


Dear Mommy,

I thank God for giving you to me as my mother.  I am blessed indeed!

I am sorry I did not treasure you as you deserved.  Please forgive me for the many times I have hurt your feelings.

Thank you for your patient understanding and kind endurance.  Thank you for all you have done to us your 8 children, 18 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

I pray to God to reward you with His Eternal Presence.  Your precious memories will forever linger in my mind, heart & soul.

I love you Mommy and I will miss you.

Hug & kisses,
Lydia

Hi Tia Conch! You are now in Good Hands. Finally rested. How can I forget one nice lady whom I considered a family Aunt and so thoughtful. When you were still fine and alert you never failed to send me Christmas cards. I still keep the wedding dress you made for me. We all grew up thinking of you and your children as our ka-familia too! May you rest in eternal peace Tia Concha. We love you. 🌸💕🙏

OBITUARY

Concha DeJesus Catama

30 May, 1926 – 20 May, 2020

Palm Southwest Mortuary

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