Amanda Braceros Cabillan

Her loving husband William Kuehl predeceased Amanda. Her son Arthur Cabillan Venturina and his wife Jodi, daughter Elizabeth Cabillan Westbrook and husband Phillip, daughter Baby Amanda Cabillan Venturina and fiancé Mitchell Carp, and former husband Honorato Reyes Venturina survive Amanda. She is also survived by four grandchildren, David Venturina and his wife Amber, Andrew Venturina, Kody Venturina Cheung and Kazidy Venturina Cheung. She had two great-grandchildren, Kelvin Venturina and Maxen Venturina. Amanda was the daughter to Filomina Braceros and Cepriano Cabillan. She was the eldest of 8 children. Many of her family reside in the Philippines but one sister, Alfreda C. Marineau.

Amanda was a World War II survivor during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines from 1942-1945. As a young woman and a mother, Amanda worked as a seamstress and attended college to pursue a career in education. Amanda with stead fast determination and strong will, saved money for her desire to emigrate her family to the United States to pursue the American Dream in hopes to provide a better life and education for her three children. In October 1969, because of her strength of mind and character, Amanda, her husband, and three children arrived in the United States of America.

Working hard as a maid and other odd jobs, she persevered in raising a family and completing her college education to become a schoolteacher. Amanda taught first grade in the state of California for 18 years to provide her students with a solid educational foundation to make a difference in their lives. Amanda worked very hard and was given the privilege to become an American citizen in 1975.

After retirement Amanda moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996 to be with her daughter Baby Amanda. Living in Las Vegas she met William Kuehl, they were married for ten years until William’s passing in December 2013. Amanda returned to California in March 2014, at the age of 84, to reside in a much more temperate climate that she enjoys. Her daughter, Baby Amanda, retired early from her teaching career of twenty-six years, and moved her family to California to help take care of her mother. Living in California made Amanda feel at peace. She was able to see her children, grand children, great-grandchildren, and extended families often; that delighted Amanda.

Amanda was a loving wife and mother, with a kind and giving heart, she had an optimistic view of world while expecting the best of others. Amanda’s expectations to her own children always emphasized education as the key to success in life in order to realize the American Dream. Amanda also dedicated these same values to her grandchildren through giving them individual instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Amanda enjoyed traveling, sewing, socializing, dancing, singing, celebrations of events, volunteering at church, and was very devoted to the Catholic faith.

A song that can sum up the will, conviction, and determination of Amanda is titled, “I AM WOMAN”, by Helen Reddy.

I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an' pretend

'cause I've heard it all before

And I've been down there on the floor

No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Chorus

Oh yes I am wise

But it's wisdom born of pain

Yes, I've paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

You can bend but never break me

'cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I come back even stronger

Not a novice any longer

'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Chorus

I am woman watch me grow

See me standing toe to toe

As I spread my lovin' arms across the land

But I'm still an embryo

With a long long way to go

Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes I am wise

But it's wisdom born of pain

Yes, I've paid the price

But look how much I gained

If I have to I can face anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

Oh, I am woman

I am invincible

I am strong

Fade

I am woman

I am invincible

I am strong

I am woman

We do not say “good bye” but “see you later”. As you have always done, I know that you will “watch over all of us”.

We HONOR YOU, LOVE YOU, and THANK YOU! YOU will forever be in our hearts and memories.

WELCOME HOME!

There will be a private graveside celebration funeral service for immediate family on Wednesday, August 10 at 9:30 AM at Pierce Brothers 11500 Arlington Ave. Riverside, California 92505.

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Bros. Crestlawn Mortuary, Riverside, CA.