Elisa Reyes Cruz

Elisa married at the young age of eighteen. Her husband, Eligio Cruz Sr. was twenty-two years old. They began building their large family right away. With her first four children already born, they lived through the tortuous time that was World War II. Once the war ended, they quickly grew their family even more – baby after baby born each year.

Though Elisa only completed primary schooling, she quickly learned to navigate life. Her “street smarts,” motivation and dedication to her children are what propelled her and her growing family to succeed.

Elisa dreamed of finishing her own schooling, but was unable to since her family lacked money. So, Elisa set forth on her new dream - to provide education to her own children. She would say to her kids, “Wala akong kayamanan na maipamamana sa inyo, kung hindi ang mapag-aral kayo. ” Meaning, "I don’t have much money to pass on to you, but at least to provide you all a good education." Elisa was so proud that her children were able to finish their education and continue on with their respective careers. They became teachers, engineers, accountants, a medical technologist, an architect, a doctor and other successful professionals.

After her sixteen children were born, and her husband's passing in 1973, Elisa began to seek work. She had to find a way to support her large family on her own. Elisa began selling dry goods in the market. Business grew from one small stall to managing four stalls in the market. This became the family business. All of her children, and even grandchildren, helped in the store year round. Elisa was a true leader and business woman. Through this, Elisa instilled the value of hard work, discipline, and dedication to her family.

Elisa also had religion in the center of her household, reading the Bible everyday. During the season of Lent, she read the “Pasyon.” With her sixteen children, she would gather her family every night to pray the rosary. Doing this, she raised God-fearing children, who continue to pray to this day.

She migrated to the United States in September 1984, where she continued to encourage all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to finish their education. Elisa passed on her message to these generations. Her will to support her family’s education never ended.

Elisa was a strong-willed woman; when she wanted something done, it would get done right away. Elisa did her daily exercises, continued to read and write and keep up on current events. She watched the news and read the newspaper every morning. Her routine kept her mind and body sharp, and kept her young and strong. She loved to cook, sew, and garden in the backyard. She would often make sampaguita wreaths--she loved their scent! As a grandmother, it brought her joy to feed her grandchildren whenever they came to visit her, whether it was her famous apple cake, guava jelly, puto or leche flan. Elisa’s sweet tooth was as big as her kind heart!

Not only did Elisa value education, but she taught her family to be kind, humble and loving to others. Her caring presence, love, and kindness will forever be with us. Elisa was the matriarch that held the Cruz Family close together. Her lasting legacy for all her children was that she was a one of a kind, in a class of her own, all-around Superwoman.

On February 4, 2019, surrounded by her loving family, Elisa departed this life to be with the Lord. She was 98 years old. She is survived by: One brother, Atty. Crispin Tulod Reyes, who is now 103 years old; her thirty-six grandchildren; thirty-three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; And of course her beautiful sons and daughters, Rogelio, Zenaida, Roberto, Mila, Jimenez, Lilia, Dante, Cesar, Elizabeth, Manuel, Felicito, Bernardito, Arturo, Jerry, Cristina, and Eligio Jr. who passed March 22, 1986, who she will be reuniting with in Heaven, along with her husband. Elisa, Inang, will forever be missed.