Maria Lilia Manhar Rana

Maria Lilia (Halili) Rana was born in Quezon City, Philippines on March 10, 1939 to Benvenuto Sr. and Lourdes Halili. Lili, as she was known, was attending St. Theresa’s College in Quezon City when her father tragically died in 1955. She went on to study architecture at Santo Tomas University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1960.

Lili lived in Guam for two years where she worked in the same architecture firm as her brother Rody before following him to Southern California in 1968.

While single in Los Angeles, she shared an apartment with a group of fun-loving professional gals known as the Hobart Girls, named after the street on which they lived. These women became her life-long friends.

Throughout her architecture career, she was a real trailblazer—often the only female architect in the firm. It was at Albert C. Martin and Associates where she met the love of her life, Manhar. The two were married on July 15, 1972 in Los Angeles and performed a puja ceremony in Bilimora, India before honeymooning around the world for 6 months. They settled in Santa Ana, California and welcomed their only child, Meera Michelle, on February 18, 1976.

She played guitar and loved country music. In 1980, Lili pursued one of her other passions and opened a flower shop, Flowers by Meera. Then in 1993, Lili opened the Fountain Valley branch of Manila Sunset Restaurant. Lili cared for her mother Lourdes for many years until she died at the age of 99 on New Year’s Day in 2000. She was widowed when Manhar died in May 2013.

Lili always had a soft spot for the family feathered and furry friends, treating each one like the valuable family member they were. Pi and Bonnie provided much comfort during her final years. She suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, but was able to remain at home under the care of her loving daughter, Meera, until she passed away in her sleep at 84 years old on January 30, 2024.

We’ll always remember Lili in her beautiful garden filled with colorful bougainvillea, numerous plants, and a fruitful guava tree. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Lili was preceded in death by her parents Lourdes and Benvenuto Sr., her husband Manhar, and siblings Rody and Peya. She is survived by her daughter Meera; siblings Henie, Ben Jr., Lulu, and Bubut; in-laws, August, Lorna and Jimmy; and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Visitation: Thursday, February 8, 4-8pm at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Mortuary

Funeral Mass: Friday, February 9, 10am at Our Lady Queen of Angels in

Newport Beach presided by Fr. Paw

The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Lili's honor.