Marina Sabanga Sistoso

Marina was born to Luis Sabanga and Geronima Martin in Manila, Philippines on December 26th, 1935. She was the oldest of five children.

She and her family were instrumental to the early rise of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church of Christ in the Philippines. Some of the first worship services ever occurred at her mother’s house. Her parents also lent one of their cars to Ka Felix Manalo so he could more effectively spread God’s message. The first worship services in San Francisco were partly made possible by a vinyl recording of Ka Felix’s preaching that she was entrusted with to share with others. Dearly beloved and respected by many in the church community, she was a choir member in her youth, then served faithfully as a deaconess throughout her married life.

She earned her living as an accountant at Fritzi, a clothes manufacturing company in San Francisco, for 30 years.

Everything she did, she did with the good and well-being of her loved ones in heart and mind.

She will always be remembered for giving generously to her family by treating her children and grandchildren to a Disney World vacation upon her retirement, a Disneyland trip with a stay at the Grand Californian Hotel, as well as holidays to Hawaii on several occasions. She was constantly cooking up delicious meals to share with loved ones and worked tirelessly for a spotless household. She epitomized what it was to be a hard worker in all aspects of her blessed life.

Survivors to the Deceased:

George Rombaoa Sistoso, her husband of 66 years.

Her five children: Norman married to Mary Yap, Robert married to Nelia Danao, Edwin married to Annabelle Dulay, George Jr. married to Rowena Zapanta and Loretta married to Brendan Griffith.

Her 15 grandchildren: Brian, Joshua, Justine, Michael, Janelle, Jade, Nathan, Vincent, Keith, Kylie, Julian, Jeremy, Travis, Brett, and Dylan.