Carrie Chaloner Gaane

Carrie Mary Chaloner was born in the Philippines on March 31, 1914 in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, in the island of Mindanao. She lived to a ripe old age of 102 years old, and was probably the longest living direct descendant of a Spanish-American War veteran. Her father was John Charles Chaloner, from Ennis, Montana, a Spanish-American War veteran, who later received the Philippine Congressional Medal, among others. Her mother was Matilde Barros Valdehueza, a local lass from Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

She had four sisters, namely: Adah, Florence, Nena, Matilde. Her early childhood saw her family shuttling back and forth between Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. The Chaloner family had their own ranch, and established their own elementary school for the girls and the daughter of one of the cowboys. Free housing was provided for their live-in private teacher from Cebu.

Later on, the sisters pursued their own separate studies in different places, like Libona, Cebu, and Manila. While finishing her teaching course, Carrie became one of the beauty queens in the 1933 Cebu Carnival.

Back in Cagayan, as a young woman, she met Cesareo C. Gaane, the son of a business entrepreneur. They found themselves in the same social circle. They married in 1934, and had seven children, namely: Cesareo Junior, Nancy, Roy, Robert, Ave, Irene, and Claire.

Carrie’s husband was a fluent speaker and writer, and worked as Deputy Sheriff. Later on, he became Vice-Governor of Misamis Oriental in the 1930’s. Meanwhile, Carrie taught elementary education in the City Central School. After a while, she decided to work in the City Engineer’s Office. In later years, she was an active officer for the Catholic Women’s Club in Cagayan de Oro, to help women who had less in life.

As the daughter of an American citizen, Carrie migrated to United States with her husband and children in the late 1970’s.