Lilia Odi Ella

Good Morning everyone, we gather today at Immaculate Heart of Mary to remember the life of Lilia Oliverio Odi Ella and celebrate what she meant to all of us. I’m 99.9 percent sure you all know who I am but for those that don’t, my name is Justin Leslie Odi Ella and I am the youngest of my mom’s 2 children. My older brother is Jason Jonathan Odi Ella and he sits here next to my Father Juanicolo Quiling Ella. My family elected me, without any debate, as the person to speak to everyone today and I will do my best to get through this, so please bear with me because it is not common for me to do public speaking and this might be a little lengthy. First off, my father, brother and I would like to formally thank all of you for attending this celebration of the life of my mother. My family and I are very happy and feel so loved that family and friends were able to come from the Philippines, California, New Jersey, Alabama, Indiana, and the Chicago area at pretty much last minutes notice. To take the time out of your busy lives to join us today means so much. I know my mother is truly happy and smiling as she looks down and sees that love is so powerful amongst us.

Lilia was born on December 15, 1948 in Maganoy, a town in Cotobato City, Philippines where she grew up and graduated from Notre Dame HS and then on to Notre Dame College in Cotobato City with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. My mother was 1 of 8 children born from my grandparents, the late Adriano Odi and late Pilar Oliverio. She was the 4th eldest in line and by age: Late Evangelina Odi Bronola, Lieutenant General Romeo Odi – Retired (accompanied here today from the Philippines with his wife Dr. Merle De La Cruz Odi), Late Adriano Oliverio Odi, My mother, Late Teresita Odi Tobias, Late Thelma Odi Ramos, Celerina Odi Lazo, and Estreslita Odi Alicias.

My mother met my father at the Philippine National Bank in Cotobato City where they ended up talking, hitting it off, and the rest is history. My father arrived to the states with 10 half dollars in his pocket ($5) in 1974, established himself first then returned to the Philippines and married my mother on 12/15/1976 in Quezon City. My parents were born on the same day, December 15, and married on the same day as well. Anniversaries/birthdays were easy to remember for everyone as you can tell. My mom was petitioned into the US and finally arrived in June of 1977 where she would reside for the remainder of her life bearing 2 children whom she loved with the greatest of passion here, in Chicago. My parents have been married for 42 and a half years and my mom will continue to be a part of my father’s heart for eternity. This goes hand in hand with my brother and I along with all that loved her.

Talking about my mother as she’s passed is not an easy task. Someone that you love so much, with all your heart, and they are not present physically is heartbreaking. Thinking about all the memories I would like to share with you all would take a very long time. Overall though she was very passionate and strong woman. She really put others before herself. She’d do anything for my brother and I. She provided for us no matter what even if she was reluctant at first. She loved sacrificing for us so that my brother and I could do well and really enjoyed telling everyone about our accomplishments whether it be about school, piano, sports, or handsome good looks. Just as any proud parent would, she enjoyed the good brag every now and then. Her passion for us was also exemplified by how much she cared on what my brother and I were doing. She was one of those, “are you going to work/school tomorrow?” we’d say say , “yes”, then the next day, “where you going?” we’d say work/school, then when we get home, “where have you been?” She stayed up numerous nights, with work in the morning, while my brother and I were younger because we’d come home very late hanging with friends and were too scared to answer her multiple phone calls. Her passion at those times turned to rage most of the time and my brother and I would get what we deserved. We love her for that because it shaped us to who we are today and without that I don’t know what kind of people we would be.

She really enjoyed cooking, to the point where we’d have so much food in the house already but she’d still cook something to add on. We would always ask who was going to eat all of this. She didn’t care, just happy that anyone ate her food and really enjoyed it. Her food was really good that I’m assure some of you could attest. We’re really going to miss that.

She also really loved to go, of course, shopping. She didn’t like to buy the most extravagant things but liked to buy a lot of little things, especially if it was on sale. It doesn’t even matter how much the savings was (10 cents, 20 cents) as long as it was on sale. She’d go overboard a lot of the time. I, personally, don’t know of any family that needs 10 dish racks for the sink. Do any of you? She loved it though, took every opportunity to go shopping when she could. The past few years she had less and less stamina to do things and didn’t really want to go out and do much because of it. But lemme tell you, it didn’t matter how much stamina she had, when there was a shopping cart in front of her, she could go all day. She had a driver everywhere she went, so whoever it was had to wait until she was done. You couldn’t even stay with her while she shopped and if you tried to rush her, big trouble. She had to do her own thing.

The main thing I want everyone to know about my mom was that my mom was very strong. She was a fighter from day 1 all the way to her last breath. Everything that was thrown at her she took it head on. She had health problems in the early 90’s and I remember she was so tired and weak and she could have given up if she wanted but she fought through and had a kidney transplant in 1994. I remember that exact day, I was at a classmate Luis Delgado’s house, to play basketball when I called my house to tell my brother I was coming home before my parents got home from work and kuya told me that my mom found a kidney was going into surgery. When I heard the news, I was so happy and everyone was looking at me weird because I said “Yes! My mom is having surgery!” I had to explain myself but it was so exciting. She took care of herself for our family and her kidney transplant lasted until this past year while she was in the hospital. So many other people who are organ transplant recipients aren’t as lucky. She battled on/off health issues for the remainder of her life, especially the past 10 months as a lot of you know. She battled back at every single complication that tested her. Her will to live and her love for her family and friends kept her going. It’s time for my mom to rest in peace now, free from the struggle. I’m always going to remember her smile every time family/friends walked into the room while she was hospitalized.

Life is a song, sing it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is sacrifice, offer it. Life is love, enjoy it. My friend’s late father always told her, “Enjoy every second of life because you never know what can happen the next minute.” Death Leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal. I want you all to love everyone close to your heart no matter what. Forget the drama.

Dad, Kuya, and I love you so much Mom. We greatly appreciate everything you’ve done for us and will continue doing for us up above as you watch over us reunited with the rest of our loved ones. The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.