Maria Barbosa Tuscano

March 2, 1921 – April 28, 2023

The matriarch of the Tuscano family was born Maria Barbosa in Patucannay, Abra, Philippines on March 2, 1921. She was the second child of Fructosa and Juan Barbosa, and had an older brother named Domingo (nicknamed Ama) and four younger brothers: Artemio (Amboy), Federico (Edring), Heradio (Adiong), and Juan Jr. (Aning). Another brother, Delfin, and a sister, Patricia, died in infancy.

Maria’s childhood was not easy or carefree, because her father was very strict. In fact, she had to leave school at a young age in order to help take care of her brothers. Later, when Maria was of age, any potential suitors were scared off by her father. She said later that if her father had lived, she may not have gotten married!

Maria, her mother and her siblings survived World War II and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, but her father died around this time. Then, in 1946, at the age of 25, she fell in love with a local boy named Juan Tuscano, who had served as a Philippine Scout during the war. They got married in June of the same year. In the meantime, the United States government offered citizenship to the Philippine Scouts, and Juan applied and it was granted. Maria and Juan then proceeded to have four children: in 1947, Jose; 1948, Emmanuela; 1950, Florentina; and 1952, Juan Jr.

In 1953, Juan immigrated to the United States, making his home in Santa Clara, California, where he was able to get a job at Lockheed in Mountain View. He worked hard, bought a house and was finally able to send for his family after six years. Meanwhile, Maria had to travel to Manila, to get all of the legal paperwork needed so that the family could come to the United States. She found out at that time that the children had been born as U.S. citizens and she owed money to the government! Finally, in 1959, she and her four children crossed the Pacific on the ocean liner USS President Wilson, and they arrived in San Francisco in October, 1959, after a 23-day voyage. The family did not appreciate the trip at the time due to seasickness, but today it would be considered a nice cruise!

The family quickly settled in the house on Orthello Way. Because the kids needed to learn English quickly, their dad declared that they would only speak English in the house. Unfortunately, the kids ended up forgetting how to speak their native dialect, Ilocano, although they could still understand it. In the meantime, Maria became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1963. This enabled her to help three of her brothers come to

the U.S. in the late 60’s. They, in due time, were able to bring their own families here and make a good home for themselves.

Maria lived a normal housewife’s life, with a husband and four children to keep house for. Then Kaiser Hospital opened in Santa Clara, and in 1964, at the age of 43, she was able to get a job in the Dietary Department, where she became known as Mary. She had to work an early shift, coming home at 2:00 or 3:00 p.m., but still found the energy to cook good meals and take care of her family. She did say, however, that she never had to work in the Philippines!

It was during the late 1960’s that Allen came to live with the family, and everyone was happy to have a baby to love again. Mary worked for 28 years at Kaiser, retiring on May 31, 1992, at the age of 71. And because she was very emotional about retiring, she actually called in sick on her last day of work!

Throughout their life, Mary and Juan were very involved with the Filipino community, attending meetings but more often just socializing and going to dances and other functions. It was fun to watch her get all dressed up!

A big family event was their 50th wedding anniversary in June, 1996, when they got married at Santa Clara United Methodist Church, with Pastor Christie officiating. It was a joyous and memorable occasion for the family, friends, and relatives who attended and later wined and danced at Lou’s Village.

Mary and Juan instilled in their children the importance of loving your family and spending time together. They hosted Sunday dinners, birthdays, Thanksgivings, Christmases, and Easters. The children thought their mom was the best cook ever! There were family vacations also. Once Mary, Juan and Allen went on a cruise with Junior’s family, and a lucky oldest grandchild named Elissa was invited to go! Mary and Juan also went on a 30-day whirlwind and exhausting tour of Europe along with Junior and Dionisia and other members of Dionisia’s family.

Mary and Juan were faithful members of the Santa Clara United Methodist Church since 1959. They instilled in their family the importance of having God in one’s life, and they attended Sunday services regularly. On March 1, 2004, one day shy of Mary’s 84th birthday, her beloved husband passed away after 59 years of marriage. Emma then started picking up her mom on Sundays to attend church together, along with Flo and Angelita Barbadillo (aka Nana Liling). Mary and Nana Liling loved to dance, and they were picked up by Auntie Bella and Manong Nilo right after church so they could all attend the weekly event at Sampaguita, where they’d have lunch and do some

dancing. This was their Sunday routine for a long time, until Mary was no longer able to go, because her dementia was becoming markedly worse.

Even with dementia, as long as Mary was able to get around, she continued to enjoy life with her family. However, when she fell down and broke her hip, even though she recovered, she was never quite the same. But with the daily help of Allen and Darlene, and the caregivers, Mary was able to keep going.

COVID 19 derailed a lot of things, such as visits and family gatherings, but Mary had two more big events to celebrate. On March 2, 2021, the family had an outdoor 100th birthday bash for her in front of her house on Orthello Way. Many family members attended; Helena, Roy and others from the neighborhood stopped by; and even Pastor Vathanak gave a “drive by” greeting! The last big party that Mary would attend was Emma’s and John’s 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 5, 2021, that was held in the Cruz backyard.

Mary became bedridden during the last two years of her life. We knew that she was suffering, but her heart was so strong! She hung on past her 102nd birthday on

March 2. Then on Friday, April 28, 2023, Mary took her last breath at around 6:30 a.m. The visiting nurse came and pronounced the time of death as 7:30 a.m.

Mary’s suffering was over, and she was in the arms of our Lord. She was welcomed in heaven by her husband, parents, siblings, Auntie Lumen, and other dearly departed. She left behind her beloved family, namely the 5 children and their spouses: Joe and Elena, Emma and John Cruz, Flo and Irenio Ciriales, Junior and Dionisia, and Allen and Darlene; 7 married and 2 unmarried grandchildren: Elissa and Terry Flora, Angela and Geoff Yutangco, Warren and Kathleen Tuscano, Wesley and Sara Tuscano, Ariel and Gio Plenos, Allison and Erik Seaver, Kailin and Kelly Kwan, Chandra and Rich Dominguez, Alexandria and Jens Hansen, and Deziree and Tiyana Tuscano; and 15 great-grandchildren (one married): Jessalyn and Michael Svozil, Kalliana and Mariella Flora, Bryant and Blaise Yutangco, Matthew and Cadence Tuscano, Ria Tuscano, Alessia Plenos, E J Seaver, Lana and Logan Kwan, R J and Lia Dominguez, and Ella Hansen.

Mary also left behind her sisters-in-law, Betty and Bella Barbosa, and their families.

Rest in peace, our beloved mom, grandma and great-grandma! We will miss you very much!!!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Tuscano family.