Imelda Improgo Santo Domingo

June 19, 1936 – June 01, 2011

Obituary from Bong Santo Domingo, Elizabeth Chan, Genie Gaston, Eileen Newell, and Enrique Santo Domingo

Imelda Santo Domingo 74, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2011, at Providence Swedish hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Imelda was born in Davao, Philippines and attended the Philippine Women University in Manila. She was married to Ernest C. Santo Domingo Sr. for 45 years.

Imelda was preceded in death by her husband Ernesto Santo Domingo Sr.; her mother Victoriana Joven Improgo, and sister Iluminada “Beng” Y. Eaton.

She is survived by her five children: Eugenie Gaston who is married to Ralph Gaston, Elizabeth Chan married to Ben Chan, Eileen Newell married to Mark Newell, Bong Santo Domingo and Enrique Santo Domingo; grandsons: Michael W. Gaston married to Jenny Hawes, Brian Thomas Gaston, Rafael Santo Domingo with partner April Villanueva, and their son Austin Rafael; Miguel Santo Domingo married to Ashley Villaluz Santo Domingo; Christopher Chan and Jonathan Chan; sisters: Fely dela Cruz married to Gus dela Cruz, Elsa Boulanger married to Mike Boulanger and Lolita Improgo; nieces and nephews; Lauri Young with partner Nicole Gainey and Rico dela Cruz.

Imelda was passionate about cooking, writing and recording in her journal. She never missed an episode of her favorite television series on the Filipino channel. Her family will surely miss her, but we all know that she is still here watching over us.

Our family wish to express our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all of you who sent cards, flowers, warm greetings and prayers. Our mom died knowing she was surrounded by family and friends who all love her.

Thank you all for sharing this moment with us, and celebrating the wonderful years of her life.

Eulogy for My Mother Imelda

By: Genie Gaston

6/10/11

My mother was an amazing woman full of zest for life. The last few years were hard for me to see her health started to deteriorate. She has been in and out of emergency room, intensive care unit, and rehab for various health reasons.

What I do know about her is not her illness, but her ability to see through challenges and her determination to live life to the fullest regardless of any roadblocks that would stop her from doing what she loves to do. She loved her friends and was especially close to Belen, Therese, and Betty from Providence Elizabeth house where she spent most of her last remaining years. She loved and adored her family. Her children, grandchildren, niece, nephew, and sisters were her life!

My mother was born on June 19, 1936, and was married for 45 years to my father who died of leukemia in 2000. She has three surviving sisters who are here today to celebrate her life: Lolita Improgo, Elsa Improgo who is married to Mike Boulanger, and Fely dela Cruz who is married to Gus dela Cruz. She is also survived by her children, me, Bong, Elizabeth, Eileen, and Enrique. She was always proud of her son-in-laws; Ralph Gaston, Ben Chan, and Mark Newell whom she felt really close and relied upon for strength and support. She spoke very highly of her grandchildren, their wives, and partner whom she felt truly blessed, and naturally proud of their accomplishments. Michael Gaston and wife Jenny Hawes; Brian Gaston; Rafael Santo Domingo and partner April Villanueva with new great grandson Austin Rafael; Miguel Santo Domingo and new wife Ashley Santo Domingo; Christopher Chan, and Jonathan Chan. She also spoke of her niece and goddaughter Lauri Young and her partner Nicole Gainey. And, she is also survived by Rico dela Cruz, her nephew.

My mother is truly blessed with family and close friends gathered here today to remember her as a compassionate, caring, loving, loyal, independent, and strong woman. She loves to write journals, and document interesting people she meets along the way. I remembered the time when she told me about a lady she met on the street while waiting for the bus after work whose life was changed without warning when she lost everything. She told me that the conversation with this woman was spent reminiscing what she could have done differently in her life has she known or prepared for her loss. Mom told me that she comforted the woman, a total stranger and listened more than anything to let her know that it is ok to feel sorrow and sadness. We often hide our feelings, but in this story my mother told the woman to let it all out because she would feel better. She did and cried for a long time! As the bus stopped, the woman stood up and told my mother that her children are lucky to have her. I know that we are truly lucky to have her in our lives! Mom was a great listener and never judgmental. She taught unconditional love which all five children valued, and never critical of others. She was always there for us, and I know in my heart that she is here now.

Her strength and passion for life is seen through her children’s lives that she felt proud to be a part of, and was always there through good and bad times. With all of us here today to celebrate her life, I want to thank each one of you for being here to share this moment with us. We will never say goodbye to her because she will always be close to our hearts! We love you mom and until we meet again!

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Imelda's name to American Heart Association. Donation information available on American Heart Association website: https://donate.americanheart.org/ecommerce/aha/aha_index.jsp or phone 1-800-242-8721.

Arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington.