(Continued from the previous post)

I will be forever grateful to Marita, who lovingly cared for my mom for the past couple of years.  I don't know anyone as compassionate as her.  She gave my mom joy, laughter, and immense attention.  Marita has grown to be like a sister to me, Charlene, Carol, Cindy, and Ronnie (now deceased).  We love you, Marita.  You are a godsend, and my mom loved you so.

When someone says to me "you're just like your mom", I am honored.  I am who I am because of her.  I have her sense for adventure, a love for reading and putting thoughts to paper, and Gerry and I made sure that our kids had an upbringing similar to mine.

One more thing about my mom.  After visiting with her, she would stand at the front door and wave goodbye until she could no longer see us.  That gesture always warmed our hearts.  I will miss hearing her say "I love you", holding my hand, and her warm smile.  The words "sweet", "kind", and "elegant" are usually used to describe my mom.  She was that and more.  I will miss her so much.  My heart hurts.  But I'm happy for the long, long life she lived and all that she witnessed, and I rejoice that she is in a glorious place with Dad and Ron.  They will forever be in our hearts.  May they rest in Heavenly Peace.

(Continued from my previous entry)

Going back to that mother-1st daughter thought, my mom and I did have a special bond.  One night when I couldn't sleep (I think I was in junior high at the time), she asked me if I'd like to crawl into bed with her and we'd start talking about stuff into the early morning hours.  She'd tell me stories that I'd never heard before.  She told me at length about her childhood, her teen years, her teaching job, how she met my dad, when the Japanese took over the Philippines in WWII and how she and her family survived the horrors of it, everything.  I was so captivated by her stories.  I also remember how she was always writing.  She kept small lined notebooks that she wrote in.  After her passing, my sisters and I found the notebooks and discovered that she documented pretty much everything.  My mom's written entries were movingly expressive and detailed.  Those notebooks are precious keepsakes now.

When the time came for me to move on and find my place in the world, it was sad to leave the home where I felt so loved.  Also, I would realize how much mom loved my sisters and brother as equally as me.  We are so blessed to have had her as our mom, grandma, and great-grandma.  I will forever cherish the photo from Easter Sunday in 2019 where she is literally surrounded by lots and lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

MY TRIBUTE TO MOM

There's something to be said about a mother and her first-born child, and when that first-born is a girl, it's something special.  That's how it was for my mom.  When my mom and dad married in 1954, my mom wished for her first child to be a girl.   Being the only girl in a family with three brothers, you can imagine why my mom would desire a baby girl.  Mom would tell me often that she prayed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help asking for a baby girl, and in return she would name the child Maria, to honor her, the Virgin Mary.  As providence would have it, I was born.

When I'm asked what it was like to grow up in my family, I always say that I had a charmed childhood and my mom was a huge contributor to the wonderment of it all.  I loved my childhood.  I fondly remember our Friday family nights, our Saturday nights at the local drive-in theaters, day-long picnics at the beaches and parks, camping near and far, and the road trips.  Mom just loved being out and about. 

In my teens, my mom often said to me "Marie, be careful.  Your curiosity is going to get you in trouble."  Here's another thing she'd say to me.  "You're lucky your dad's not here.  If you do it again (whatever that bad deed was), I will tell your father."  My mom was cool like that.  She always gave me a second chance.

My mom was quite the disciplinarian, but she also had a heart of gold.  She loved all of her children equally, adored the grandkids, and was so amazed by the great-grandchildren.  She was admired by friends and strangers, for her kindness and elegance.  To me, she was just so sweet and pretty.  I will miss her smile and laughter so much.   Mom was my everything.

I love you, Mom.



I feel so fortunate to have been able to remotely "attend" the services this morning. What a strange and incredible time we're living in, where technology affords us the ability to connect even in these "disconnected" times. Sending love, comfort, support and sincere condolences to the entire family. She was a truly wonderful woman and I'm so lucky and honored to have known her. In time, may your many beautiful memories bring you more smiles than tears. May they comfort you in those moments when you miss her the most. Rest In Peace, Cristina Manaog. Sending warm hugs and wishing all of you peace during this indescribably difficult time. 

Love, blessings and my deepest sympathies,
Scheila

Nice picture of mom at just 2 kids.  Not sure who circled Marie’s head. 

I’ll always remember mom and her Thunderbird.  

Mom & dad and family drove me up to LA for my flight to Okinawa...that was so nice. 

Thanksgiving 2014

I remember when mom was so entertained by the 3 little babies - Alana, Kyle and Gracie.

 Marie

Easter Sunday 2014,  Mom was so proud of her large family.  She was blessed!

Marie

I love this photo.  It reminds me of the TV series "Mad Men" - a look back at the 1960's.

Marie

OBITUARY

Mrs. Cristina Cañeba Manaog

December 5, 1927 – March 8, 2021

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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