Maria "Abby" de Jesus Tibajia

Tibajia, Maria I, “Abby” 52 of Chandler AZ passed away unexpectedly June 7, 2015 at St Joseph’s Hospital. Abby was born August 22, 1962 in Manila, Philippines to Edgardo & Mary de Jesus. The second of six children, Abby loved to play volleyball and torment her younger siblings.

Abby graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila with a Fine Arts degree in Interior Design.

In 1985 she moved to the US and ten years later she met her husband, Noel Tibajia, DDS. They were married January 1996 in a beautiful ceremony at St Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix. In December 1996, they welcomed the birth of their first child, Monica, followed by Nicholas in 1998, and Norman in 1999.

Abby had strong ties to her Catholic faith. She was a member of St Andrew the Apostle Church in Chandler. Abby was a loving and devoted mother. She was very involved in volunteering at her children’s schools.

But Abby’s true passion was cooking. There was always something on the stove or in the oven. For a period of time, her baked goods were sold at several Asian markets and restaurants in the valley. People will be talking about her amazing flan for many years.

Abby was diagnosed with Lupus in 2002, but she did everything she could to make sure the disease did not slow her down including going to the gym daily. Abby loved life & laughter. She will be deeply missed. She was preceded in death by her father. Abby is survived by her husband and children, sisters: Anna de Jesus, Ossan de Jesus, Wendy (Jayvee) Vergel de Dios, Angel (Jay) Abello, brother: Len (Olivia) de Jesus, sisters-in-law: Christine (Carlos) Ortega, Laurie Dennhardt, and 15 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 9:00 pm on Monday, June 15 at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 Dobson Rd, Mesa AZ. Services will be held in her honor on Tuesday, June 16 at St Andrew the Apostle Church at 3450 W Ray Rd Chandler, AZ, with visitation from 9:30 am to 11am and mass at 11am.

Contributions may be made towards the children’s education fund and deposited to Wells Fargo Bank, 4989 W Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226 account #2310685413