Joji P. Gomez

Joji P. Gomez, first daughter of Antonia Valenzona Pagpaguitan and late Julian Pagpaguitan, was born on February 27, 1952 in the Philippines. Joji was a caring and generous sister to Lito, Jim, Nannette, Juancho and Janice. Affectionately called Mama Guy, she was also an aunt, a great-aunt, a cousin, and a true friend, and a blessing and an inspiration to many. But above all, she was a faithful and loving wife to Eduardo Gomez for 38 years, and mother to Alan Jay, who had left us to be with his Creator in May 2009.

Joji grew up in Pasay City, Philippines. In 1972, she married her childhood sweetheart, Ed, and relocated to the US. In 1976, they were gifted with a baby boy, Alan. When Alan was 2 years old, the family moved to Los Angeles, lived there for 2 years before moving to the Bay Area in 1980. There Joji began her career at Pacific Bell, which became SBC, and now AT&T. Even with her heavy work load, Joji decided to pursue her studies and earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting at Dominican College of San Rafael. Then in 2000, after 20 years with the same company, she took an early retirement. In 2001, she and Ed decided to move to San Diego.

Joji had a big heart. During Christmas and birthdays, her nephews and nieces looked forward to gifts from Mama/Tita Guy and Papa/Tito Boy. She felt good to see everyone smile. Her generosity to the family was extended to Centro Shalom in Mexico and New East in the Philippines. She enjoyed volunteering her time giving to the kids of Centro Shalom.

Joji was blessed with parents, who gave her unconditional love; and close relationships with brothers and sisters, relatives and friends. Through education and hardwork, she gained knowledge and achieved much success in her career. But the greatest reward in her life was when she was led to New Hope Community Church and started a wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ. She found fulfillment and contentment in Christ. In her journal, as she lay in the hospital, Joji wrote “All I know is that I’m going to this wonderful eternal life I’ve come to believe in since I’ve known and accepted Jesus into my heart”.

Here are some messages from Joji’s family and friends:

Love is taking all your strength to give the people you love a great big hug!!! Love ya Tita!!! – Baqui Diokno

Hi Mama Guy, I miss you so much! I know you are in a better place, we all miss and love you very much, you will always be in my heart. Say hi to Uncle Alan for me, we know both of you are watching over us, and we will make you proud. I love you rest in peace! - Jarel Diokno

Joji you are at peace and renewed in the prescence of our Lord and no pain can harm you. You will be missed but you are an inspiration for us who remain here. You keep the faith to the end and now you wear a crown. – Raleigh H. Sanders

Warm thoughts and faithful prayers are offered to you in your passage from here to the Creator. You are so lucky you are with Him now. Thank you for those times we shared with you and for touching our lives. We say goodbye with hope. – Dolly Brysland

You are in a better place now tita. We love you very much. - Jay Love Pagpaguitan-Houghton

Hello, Tita Guy! This is not goodbye at all cuz we know we will see you again someday. You are free from pain now - it is the Lord's promise...Revelation 21:4 - "HE will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things... have passed away." Thank you for being a blessing to my life, Cocoy, & Cy. We luv you. - Cacay & Becks

Hi tita! :( its so sad cause the last time i've seen you was like too many years ago :( thank you for the good times ;) REST WELL :) with love! - Rhe Albelda

Jo, I never thought that your visit to Manila last December will be your last. It was a great bonding moment that I will cherish. The Batch will surely miss you but it's time for you to rest. Love you! - Beth Espiritu Pardo

May you rest in peace, Auntie Joji!!!! It was a battle but now you are in the best place with Allan!!! You'll definitely be missed. – Heidi Gomez

Dear Sister, I will always remember the times we laughed and chica together till 3, 4 and even 5 in the morning. Thank you for being a wonderful sister. I love you very much and I will miss you so much. - Nannette Diokno

We'll always hold the fondest memories of you close to our hearts. We miss you and love you dearly, Auntie Joji. ♥ - Lora Cosio Arendt

May you rest in peace Auntie Joji - we will miss you dearly. Please say hello to Alan for us. – Carina Manalastas Cosio

We miss you already Auntie Joji. Thank you for just being you. We will see you again - sometime. Please say hello to my Dad and tell him I miss him very much also. - Raceli Hulett

Jover Pagpaguitan Thank you Tita Joji for all the support you have shared to me and mama. I never thought that the last time you went home in the Phiippines is the last. I will try to strive hard as I promised you and take care of the House that yu gave to me. Thank you very much Tita. We love you and we will miss you. – Jover Pagpaguitan

Thank you Joji, for coming home to Manila a few months ago. Thank you for spending some time with us. I never thought that it was already the last time we will see you. Goodbye dear Joji. Till we meet again. We love you. – Gladys So

Your Master will say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I will miss you so much sister! Thank you for being a big sister to me, for spoiling me and my kids too.... that at 50 i am still your baby sister.... Luv yah... Sobra-sobra! - Janice Bustamante

Jaime Pagpaguitan Amen to that, sister we'll surely miss you a lot. - Jaime Pagpaguitan

God saw you getting tired

and a cure was not meant to be,

So he put his arms around you

and whispered "Come to Me".

With tearful eyes we watched you,

as we saw you pass away.

Although we loved you deeply,

we could not make you stay.

Your Golden Heart stopped beating,

hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

Rest in peace auntie joji. We will miss you with all of our hearts.

Please give a hug to Alan from all of us. – Eric Ballada

Beautiful words... Auntie Joji, we will miss you dearly. – Lorna Villano

I cannot phantom the fact that our dearly beloved Auntie Joji is gone, She is fun, loving and always makes us feel welcome. WE are forever grateful for knowing such a beautiful person. We love you. Goodbye ate Joji. - Giovanni Gomez

Christian Diokno Mama Guy you kno i always loved and missed you..you will always have a place in my heart. i know that one day i will see you and uncle alan in heaven..i love you mama guy may you rest in peace. God Bless You. goodbye for now.i love you with all my heart. Love Coco - Christian Diokno

May you rest in peace and God bless you Joji... – Alexis Miller

We love you and miss you Mama Guy. Cailey, mommy & daddy. – Cy Pagpaguitan

Rest in peace, Joji!! You're home now. See you again one day. – Elizabeth Tong

Thinking of you, Auntie Joji. – Marylou Jacobo

Joji, we are going to miss you. – Ernie and Evie

You will be missed, but not forgotten. – Tita del Rosario

Our love and prayers are with you Auntie Joji. We will miss you very much. – Joy Simba Aguon and family

Our beloved sister has left this world to live in everlasting joy and peace with our Heavenly Father. Eternal life. Perfect love. Walking in our Lord’s presence. Pain-free… I am so sadden that she suffered so, but my heart rejoices knowing where she is. I am comforted knowing that we will all be together once again; all because of the Cross. Thank you, Lord for loving us first. In His Holy Name. - Kathy Neubauer

Prayers for Jo. She's not suffering anymore.

We beseech Thee, O Lord,

in Thy mercy,

to have pity on the soul of Joji

do Thou, Who hast freed her

from the perils of this mortal life,

restore to her the portion of everlasting salvation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen - Edwina Javier

I am so sad this happened and my deepest sympathies to the family. I am grateful that I was able to reconnect with Joji earlier this year on facebook and we got to communicate for awhile. She did e-mail me and I had the chance to say goodbye to her, which meant a lot to me. Joji will always hold a special place in my heart - I have such fond memories of our time working together. - Sue Becerra

I am very sorry for your loss....though it is mine and ours (classmate) as well.

Our sincerest condolences to the entire family and especially to Boy.

God has been good to all of us for lending us a daughter/sister/wife/friend and HE allowed us to experience goodness from Joji. Love you all. - Martha aka Bidang