Beatriz C Danabar

Beatriz, lovingly known as Bating, Betzi, Mama, or her most coveted title, Lola, was born on March 3, 1945, to Crisanto Mendoza Cruz and Felicidad Sanchez Cruz. She was one of eight siblings, with Irene, Tinay, Berto, Uming, Juliet, Edith, and Cely all preceding her in death.

Growing up in a small town in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, she spent her formative years in a modest two-bedroom home. Her siblings often shared stories of how she was the smartest in the family and an avid reader from a young age. To focus on her studies, she was exempted from all household chores. She later confessed that she often enjoyed sneaking comic books in between her academic texts while pretending to study. She achieved the distinction of Valedictorian from Colegio del Santisimo Rosario High School. She then graduated cum laude from the University of Nueva Caceres with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

After college, she moved to Manila, where she passed the CPA board exam. She married her college boyfriend, Benjamin Danabar, Sr and had four children: Sheila, Bet, Bem and Ben. Betzi encouraged her husband, Ben, to start his own construction company while she worked as an auditor at the Philippine Deposit Insurance Company.

In 1984, at the age of 39, Betzi laid the foundation for her family's life in the United States, immigrating to California. She left behind everything she knew and loved —family, parents, siblings, and friends—to start a new life in an unknown country. Through her courage and determination, she successfully petitioned for her entire family to join her, and she eventually gained her U.S. citizenship. Following in her footsteps, her nieces—Maricor, Marlyn (who has since passed away), Gemma, and Maris—also relocated to California with their families.

She was a firm believer that education is one of the greatest tools to help individuals and families pull themselves out of poverty. As a single mom raising her four children, she always found a way to support relatives in the Philippines

who needed help with school and tuition fees, even if it meant taking cash advances on her credit cards. She lived by the principle that if you are fortunate enough to be in a position to give, you should always choose to do so. Known affectionately as “Mama” by many of our friends, Betzi opened the doors of our home in Milpitas to those seeking refuge. She was regarded as a fierce ally, a loyal defender, and a trusted listener and confidante by all who turned to her.

Betzi retired as the Finance Director for a non-profit organization after she survived a quadruple bypass surgery at the age of 56. She dedicated the last 25 years of her life embracing the role of an active “Lola” grandma and was quite simply, the best lola ever. She doted on her grandchildren: Daniel, Jadon, Maya, Chace, Benito, Miko, Jacob, Joshua, and Celyn, and was always there for pick-ups and drop-offs for her grandkids who lived nearby.

She ran Lola camps in the summer and provided Friday and weekend daycare for those who craved her famous crispy bacon and buttered mini pancakes. She did her best to attend all her loved ones' events, from drumming shows and soccer games to basketball games and volleyball matches, as well as hula performances, football games, baseball games, grandparents’ days, first communions, baptisms, birthdays, recitals, dance performances, reconciliations, and graduations.

She loved and lived for her apos (grandkids), and she was known for her quick wit, sensibility, kindness, generosity, and one-line zingers. She was our roots, our north star, and our anchor. She told the doctors that she is practical and a straight shooter and expected them to be comfortable with telling her the unvarnished truth and update on her medical condition. Even through her pain, she found ways to connect and make the medical staff feel comfortable and at ease. They often lingered in her room just to be able to banter and laugh out loud with her. The day she passed, Bet was pleading that she visits her in her dreams, her quick witted response “I’ll text you.”

Her remarkable life was defined by selflessness and a fierce determination to create a better future for her loved ones. She instilled a legacy of resilience and boundless love, inspiring her family with unwavering strength. We will miss her dearly, and we will continue to celebrate her incredible life and honor her legacy

of kindness and generosity. The love and compassion she shared will forever inspire all who knew her.

Betzi is survived by her children, Sheila (Matt), Bet (Mike), Bem (Doug), and Ben (Manette), along with her grandchildren, Daniel, Jadon, Maya, Chace, Benito, Miko, Jacob, Joshua, and Celyn.