Carolina Directo Dalit

On June 29, 1924, in the town of Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Aquilino & Agapita Directo welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Carolina Arela Directo into this world. We all know her as Grandma Carling. 1926, Lolo Aquilino was offered a farming job in California and left his wife and two daughters, Grandma Flora and Grandma Carling, for America. Sadly, Lolo Aquilino had forgotten his family upon arriving in America. Not too long after, Lola Agapita passed away, some say of a broken heart. They were left in the strict care of their Lelong & Lelang. Grandma Carling and her older sister Grandma Flora went through their childhood, without feeling the love of their mother or father.

At the age of 17, on February 21, 1942, Grandma Carling married Raymundo Velasco Dalit, aka Grandpa Mundong. Their story isn't the typical love story, like most marriages back then, it was an arranged marriage. During Grandpa and Grandma's marriage, they were blessed with 8 children, Arcedevilla (Bella), Gabriela (Ellie), Pedro, Jose (Pepe), and Maria (Pepe’s twin), Ricardito (Carding), Isabel (Marilyn), and Josephine. Grandma devoted herself to her children, so when she lost three of her children at a young age, Auntie Maria, Uncle Pedro, and Uncle Carding, it was heartbreaking. Life wasn’t easy for Grandma and her family in the Philippines. They had a tobacco farm, which was hard work. But Grandma didn’t have to worry because Grandpa made, he was able to provide for the needs of his family, including migrating his family to America.

Grandpa, Grandma, Marilyn, Pepe, and Josephine would be reunited with Ellie in Seattle. A year later, Bella, along with her family, moved from Hawaii to Seattle, completing Grandma’s family. Grandma loved having a big family and she loved having her family close. Her family included her 8 children, 12 grandchildren, and 14+1 great-grandchildren. Not having a mother as an example, Grandma found it difficult to express her love to her children, but it was felt anyways. The sisters had no doubt that their mother loved them. Just like we know that Grandma Carling loved every one of us, just as much, as how much we loved Grandma. Grandma is the definition of family. Grandma Carling was our beacon for home and her unwavering love was our foundation. Her smile and love are our blanket, keeping us warm and protected. She was always happy to see us, and time meant nothing to her. You knew that when you visited Grandma, you were home.

As Grandma Carling and Grandpa Mundong got older and was needing more care, they relied heavily on all their children for help. They all did their share to care for both Grandma and Grandpa. At the age of 97, January 12, 2022, with the sisters, Bella, Ellie, and Marilyn comforting her on the phone and Josephine, by her side, Grandma Carling took her final breath. Just like that, our matriarch, our foundation, our beacon, our warmth, and security are gone. Our Mamang/ Grandma, who has been here all our lives, isn't here to hug, kiss, and say I love you and that is a loss that we all share. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Grandma is reunited all her loved ones. We can only pray to be reunited when it is our time to go home.

A Grandma’s Heart

A grandma’s heart is filled with love, And gratitude to God above.

She thanks the Lord for her family tree, And all the blessings she can see.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

The family of Carolina Dalit would like to thank you all for your kind words of comfort and expression of love and gratitude. Our Mamang/Grandma will be forever missed. Our family appreciates the outpour of support. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.