Catherine Schilcher

Catherine (Bee Giok Chua) Schilcher, 71, of Huntington Beach, California, formerly of Moreno Valley, California, went home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Catherine was born in Manila, Philippines to Chong Hu Chua and Po Ti Tan on Christmas Eve in 1946.

The youngest of six children, Catherine, or Bee Giok as her family and childhood friends called her, attended the College of the Holy Spirit in Manila where she received a strong academic and spiritual foundation. This foundation combined with her strength and determination, served her well when, as a young widow, she emigrated to the United States with her young daughter, Jennifer, to start a new life. For five years, she raised her daughter on her own, in a new country, away from the comforts of home and family. With the support of her church family and her strong faith, she raised her daughter and they were happy.

In 1991, she met and married Ralph, her soulmate. The years that followed were filled with love, laughter, as well as tears. Ralph, Catherine, and Jennifer enjoyed numerous camping trips up and down the west coast, visiting and exploring the Philippine Islands, as well as several trips touring various cities in China. In addition to traveling, Catherine was also passionate about health and helping others optimize their health. She went back to school and received her certification as a Nutritionist. She did not stop there... She went on to study microscopy, iridology, and RBTI body chemistry. Over the next few decades, with her husband’s unwavering support, she helped numerous patients in private practice in her home office until her retirement in 2012. The same drive and passion she poured into her profession was now channeled into her numerous hobbies: designing and crafting beautiful jewelry, creating mouth watering recipes and baking scrumptious creations, sewing beautiful dresses, and tending her beautiful orchids.

Catherine was a loving and devoted mother, a caring and dedicated wife, a thoughtful sister, and a loyal and supportive friend. A woman of faith, virtue, love, and principle, she strove to uplift those around her and glorify God with her words and actions. Despite the pain and struggles of illness during her later years, her inner strength surpassed her physical limitations and she lived each minute with joy and optimism. She never once complained about her health or adversities that came her way. Instead, she fixed her eyes upon her Lord and was thankful for each moment she had. She was truly an inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to have met her, and touched countless lives. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Catherine is survived by her daughter Jennifer So; step children Rosemarie Sy, Edison So, Elizabeth So, Jefferson So, and Suzanne Schilcher; sisters Rosita DyNing and Rita Cobankiat; brother Jose Chua; and many loving step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Ralph Louis Schilcher, Jr.; her first husband, Edward So, parents Chong Hu Chua and Po Ti Tan, brothers William Chua and Benito Chua, and step son, Ralph Schilcher III.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, November 30, at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, Cypress Chapel 3520 E. Washington Street, Colton, CA 92324 with burial and reception following. Viewings will be held the evening prior from 4 - 8 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2018. An earlier viewing will also be held on Wednesday November 21, 2018 from 4 - 8 pm. Pastor Carmen Rieg of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside will be officiating.

Eulogy

Though I may be broken-hearted, I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have been blessed with this amazing, beautiful, Godly woman as my mother. ...to have seen her smiling face as I opened my eyes for the first time, to have held her hand as I took my first steps, to have heard her soothing voice and wise words of guidance whenever I was troubled, to have watched as she created her culinary masterpieces, to have rubbed her back when she was tired, to have cared for her when she was sick...and to have held her hand as she breathed her last.

My mother was many things to me: my closest and dearest friend, most loyal ally, loving and caring protector, ever enthusiastic cheerleader, at times brutally honest critic, but above all, my wisest and most patient teacher. She not only taught through words, she led through example.

When she taught me to “seek ye first, the kingdom of God” she showed me by always making God her guiding priority. The moment we emigrated to America, the first thing she looked for was a church. When she barely had enough money for food and rent, she sacrificed fine clothes and shoes to make sure I had a solid Christian education and foundation. During those lean years when I would see her pour over the bills and bank statements, she would always make sure to tithe, even when she wasn’t sure if there would be enough for the next month. I always remember hearing her say, “this is the Lord’s money. He will provide.” ...and He always did. We never went hungry.

Another lesson she instilled in me since an early age, was the importance of education - not grades, but the learning and application of information to help others. She would always say, “money can be spent, things can be stolen, but what you learn stays with you.” She put her words to action by being a lifelong student herself. Even after she was remarried and life became more stable. Instead of kicking back, relaxing, and watching soap operas till her husband and kid came home, she followed her dream and enrolled in an online correspondence course and got her certification as a Nutritionist. It took a little longer because she never let her studies get in the way of being a wife and mother. It was only after the meals were cooked and the dishes put away that she would hit the books. Once she became a Nutritionist, she continued her studies and added to her practice.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I’ve learned from her was learned by observing the passion with which she lived her life, the grace, strength, and endurance with which she overcome trials and adversities that came her way, and the humility and gratitude with which she always gave God the glory for blessings in life. I remember how she would often say how if we allow Him, we can be a vessel through which God will touch others’ lives. This is exactly what she was. Despite her small stature, and in the last few years, her waning health, her strength, passion, and faith in God never wavered. Even as she lay in her hospital bed, fighting for each breath, she remained a faithful vessel of God’s love. During each of her numerous hospital stays, she always made sure to greet, thank, and learn the name of each person who attended to her, whether they be nurses, LVNs, CNAs, Respiratory Therapists, or housekeeping. When she was too week to speak, she would give them a thumbs up sign to let them know she appreciated them. Like a rock, she endured each poke, prod, and painful procedure with courage and barely a flinch. Not even once, did she ever cry out in despair, fear, or self pity. Instead of focusing on her own pain, she unceasingly cared for others.

“Beautiful Jade” ...that’s what “Bee Giok” - my mother’s Chinese name- means in English. ...and that’s exactly what she was. From her effortless flair for fashion, to her kindness and the care she showed others, she was beautiful inside and out. What’s more, she had the graceful strength of jade that was her trademark. It fueled her passion for learning and seeking the Lord in her youth, it saw her through difficult times as a young single mother in a foreign land, it anchored her as she seamlessly juggled being a wife, mother, student and a practicing nutritionist...and most of all, it gave her the perseverance and courage to continue fighting and to live each moment to it’s fullest. This is her legacy, this is what made my mother so special, and this is why I am truly blessed to have had this angel as my mother.

I love you, ma...