Catalina “Cathy” or “Taning” Padora, 88, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, June 7, 2019. In her last days, she received the Anointment of the Sick from her parish priest and was always surrounded by family and friends praying and comforting her.
Cathy was born in Malvar, Batangas, Philippines on November 25, 1930. She received her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education at Philippine Women’s University in Manila. One of her first teaching jobs was at Payapa Elementary School. After marriage to her husband Luciano “Lou”, the couple moved to Manila to start their life together. She got a teaching position at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City and taught there for many years until she and her four children needed to join her husband in New York, USA.
In the late 70’s, the family moved to Houston, TX and established their roots there. She retired from the Alief ISD.
A consummate mother and homemaker, Cathy was an excellent cook, baker, and home economist! She collected cookbooks, recipes, and experimented with different styles of cuisines and baked goodies! She enjoyed throwing parties at home and cooking for family and friends.
She and her devoted husband Lou enjoyed working as a team doing the shopping, preparing the ingredients, and kitchen clean-up.
Cathy is well-known for her “green thumb”! She collected and planted seeds of different varieties in her garden and she would share it to anyone who asked her. She's pioneered the “Farm-to-table” concept before it became popular.
Her garden was full of fruits and vegetables from grapes to native Philippine vegetables that she cooked and served to her family and friends with love.
Cathy was a very devout Catholic, one of the original members of the Holy Rosary Crusade, an organization that worked to spread and promote the love of the Blessed Mother and the rosary. She worked alongside wonderful and Faith-filled men and women to help put together special church centered events for the celebration of the feasts of the Blessed Mother Mary and the Rosary. She also generously contributed her time and talents in cooking to help with these events.
Cathy was preceded in death by her husband of 59 yrs., Lou Padora; parents Nazario and Flora Reyes and sisters Consuelo Chavez and Emilia Reyes. She is survived by daughter Gina and husband Joey Se; sons Abner, Ray and wife Cheryl, and Jeffrey and wife Sylvia; Grandchildren Matthew, Emily, and Allison Padora; Julian and Lawrence Se; Great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Sofia Calderon; sister Anita Gonzales of Toronto, Canada, and brother Antonio Reyes and wife Corazon of Missouri; many loving nephews, nieces, and their families.
A special Thanks and much gratitude to Dr. Joselito R. Chavez, M.D.
(National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Deputy Executive Director) Dr. Chavez is Cathy’s nephew who was a tireless partner of the family and caregivers from the beginning. He made sure that her tests and labs were reviewed, gave his valuable advice and suggestions, not to mention all the prayers and rosaries he offered for his Aunt Cathy’s health and well-being up to her last breath.
Two very special ladies deserve our heart felt “Thank You” and appreciation:
Ms. Tita Razon for her devotion and the tender loving care she gave Cathy the last several years up to her last moments.
Ms. Helen Leus who took great care of her for seven years prior.
Both of them are part of the family and in our hearts forever.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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