Elena Wong Perez

Her father passed when she was age one and her mother remarried and moved to Manila, Philippines. Elena remained in Cavite with her aunt Carmen Dizon, along with sisters Concha and Caridad. In late 1941 as the Japanese forces made their way towards Manila, the family evacuated to Masantol province in Pampanga, Philippines.

After the Americans liberated Manila in March 1945, the family returned to Cavite. It is around this time Elena met her future husband, Benjamin Bernardino Perez, who lived in the same neighborhood. They had a long courtship as Benjamin enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the mid-1950s and was often out on deployments. Finally, on November 5, 1961 Elena and Benjamin got married in Cavite City and shortly after, made the move to the United States.

In 1972 after having served on several naval bases on the East coast, Benjamin moved his family to Pensacola, Florida which would be his last duty station before retiring and embarking on a second career with the U.S. Postal Service. Elena and Benjamin stayed happily married for nearly 54 years.

Elena did a phenomenal job supporting her husband and raising her four children. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, singing, and attending dances and potlucks held by the Fil-Am Association of Pensacola. She was also dedicated to her faith and attended church regularly, living her life by example. Elena made many friends throughout her life, even up to the last couple years of her life, who adored her for her warmth, generosity and caring personality. To know her was a blessing. She was truly a bright, shining light during her time on Earth and will be greatly missed.

Elena was preceded in death by her mother, Concepcion; her husband, Benjamin, her brother Federico, her sisters Marcia, Concha, and Caridad; her brother Ricardo, and her half-siblings Jose, Estelia, and Jaime.

She is survived by her children Wilfredo Perez (Marites), Danny Perez (Yvonne), Eloisa Zavaglia (Rocco), and Elvira Davis (Stephen); grandchildren Alyssa Cedela (Nick), Trey Davis (Sara), Benjamin Davis, and Sean Perez; and great-grandchildren Niko Cedela and Luca Cedela.

A viewing is to be held at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Road, Pensacola, Florida 32506 on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM followed by a funeral service at 6:30 PM. Burial ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.