
AN OPEN LETTER TO AMY
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To my dearest cousin Amerina,

By the time this comes out, you would already be in a safe and happier place - a haven that's free of all the trappings of this materialistic world. It is a world away from this place of pretenses, greed, untrustworthiness, controlling and suffocating environment -not to mention crowded with false prophets who dole out gutter wisdom of having been-there and having done-that'- feeding their ego with the notion that they know better.

In any case "with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it's still a beautiful world". Let me recount its beauty with my experience with you

In the Philippines- the land of your birth

In one of your picture-collages that was circulated during the wake, there was a picture where you looked like my daughter- Demarie Claudine when she was your age. That was your picture when you were boarding the plane on your flight to the USA to be with your Dad. We were at the Manila International Airport then, sending you and your mom off on your way. Auntie Merced carried you out to a parked PAL plane close to the runway. (Tarmacs were not in use then).

From that time on, the only means that we had a glimpse of you and had a sense of your upbringing were through letters and pictures from your mom.

You visited the Philippines (PH not P.I. because that is the colonial name of the Republic of the Philippines and Philippines is no longer a US Colony), when you were almost ready to go to high school. Armand was a very young boy then. If I got it right, your parents planned to move to PH. It was the reason why they invested in improving your dad's ancestral home. They bought a rice mill and installed an electric pump in your deep-well so you can have an American type of a running- water-system. They planned of putting you in the premier high school of the University of the Philippines. (It was also my alma mater where I got my degrees in Military Science, Political Science, and Law). And of course, your mom being a school teacher, it was expected that she would still work then. Your dad, a retired Navy serviceman, also had his pension. With all that support to count on along with the income from your rice mill, you were set for a good start.
But something happened, that, in my opinion, had been the reason why you never desired to go back to PH again.

When you arrived, you stayed with us at our home in Project 4. We lived in a semi-decrepit house with a makeshift extension that I asked my parents to build for me to stay until I was done with law school. It was not an impressive place. You slept on a mat in a very cold concrete floor. It had been a culture shock for you. As it indeed was!

We went to Cubao to shop or to watch movie, I think. We rode a Jeepney. The streets were pock-marked and the trip was bumpy. That, too, has been another culture shock!

You went home in the province.

Aaaah Back there, you saw the water buffaloes standing on their own dung in a muddy backyard, "suffering" under the rain. You were shocked to the bones then Couz!!!

Flies came invading the kitchen. So did the mosquitoes and the fleas! They loved the American blood in you. You scratched here and there! It was then that you couldn't wait to go back To San Diego - your version of PARADISE!
Oh yeah, a song line could not have been more fitting then - Country Road, bring me home to the place I belong!

That was a test drive that didn't go well I think. And I didn't see you again until I came here in the USA.

In the US of A -

I came here to join my wife and two children in 1985. At the time, we used to have an annual trip to Disney and to
SD, a regimen that started from when Demarie and Zaks were in grade school until Zaks reached senior high.

In our trips, we visited your house at 3930 Darwin. In most cases during these visits, you were out with friends. We didn't have time to bond. I noticed your closeness to your uncles and your cousins on your Dad 's side of your family. This made me quite jealous. I reasoned- well, she grew up around them'. It was simply logical that your bonding with them was solid. You were happy I thought. And I understood.

You visited us three times in San Francisco Bay Area, I think. The first time was with your parents and cousin Sharon. The second time was when you came alone applying for a job. And on the third time, you were with your friend whom you accompanied for her to meet her boyfriend who was coming from the East Coast. The visits were short. You had your own schedules, too.
Bonding had indeed been elusive.

Durig all those visits, I remembered your infectious giggles. Your wit stood out in our conversations. Must have been from your family's Dizon side. (Oooopsyou dad is reading! Haha!).

You graduated from UCSD with your first bachelor's degree. But you were not happy with it. You went for another one. It was at UCSD, still. You made us all proud! Even now, your mom's face brightens up everytime I go to your house and look at your diplomas. You received your license as an Engineer. When you thought of applying in Santa Rosa, I thought we could have the time to bond. Afterall, Santa Rosa is only about 30 minutes or so from my place. It didn't happen. You stayed in SD. You stayed with your parents.

I have been asked by people, who thought I knew you that well.

Why didn't she get married?
Well, perhaps there was no man deserving and smart enough to meet her standards , I would say. And sometimes i would add, Perhaps, she just loved being single, free of responsibilities that married people shoulder'. Inwardly, I thought I knew the reason why. And I kept it to myself.

Why did she opt to stay with her parents? people asked. It has been a common assumption that children born in the USA are launched to fly on their own set of wings once they are able. Her caring for her parents was far too great a love for her to leave them on their own. I said.

Cousin, you were a bright girl. You were a shining soul. The light that you showered to others made this world a better place to live in. While I didn't fully know you then, I thought that I saw the big picture in which your world revolved. And it was a colorful one. Many will miss you. When you requested for a festive memorial service celebration for your passing on, i knew then that you were departing in peace. You did not want us to grieve. Instead you wanted us to celebrate your freedom. Freedom from sickness and from all the trappings of this crazy but beautiful world that we live in.

Saint Francis of Assisi once said, It is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life". In our mortal world, dying is where the celebration begins! While you went ahead at a relatively young age, I am confident that you fulfilled your earthly life to the fullest. It was a life on your own terms.

Farewell dearest cousin! Over the great beyond where you are bound, kindly give our regards to all our beloved departed. I'm very sure that they must be very proud of your life. Just as proud as we are whom you left behind!

Until we meet again!

Manong Juli

When I received the text. I had to read it twice.  I fought back tears like never before.  I couldn't believe that this world is now without such a wonderful soul

Amy was the reason I found one of my top joys in life.  Music.  
  Learning ukulele was ok.  But Amy was the one who told me I had to teach. She said" you already write out the music and know the chords...and the most motivational part she said..."if you teach I will stay and have somewhere to continue playing ukulele. 
  I thought about it but was still unsure...I spoke with others who all said they would stay as well. The last people I asked was Florence and Amy again.  I remember Amy telling me. I had to teach...there was no one else...and I didn't want to take away music for her and others.  I couldn't say no.
   It was her warmth and "you can do it" attitude that helped me become an Alakai and form a band I knew nothing about.  
  She was the "band mom". Always had a cooler filled of water and snacks.  It was her beginnings that brought the joy of food and music to Band show days.  She will always be remembered for her part in Moku Kani and the Makani Kai Ohana as a dancer/drummer/Ukulele player.  
  Amy is the happiest and most positive person I knew. I never saw her in a bad mood.  Instead she always smiled, said hello and had a reason to laugh with me.  Always thinking about the funny parts of life even if it was hard or unfair. 
  I will always remember her laugh and the fist bumps she gave me when I did a good job.  She always smiled from the crowd And was our biggest fan when she couldn't play at a show. 
  I will miss her but remember our times of fun for the rest of my life.  I will continue to spread aloha and joy with Ukulele music and think of her every time I play a show.  
Aloha Oe Amy, until we uke again my happy friend.

Amy was my dearest and closest friend. She was my sister and her family became my extended family. I hold dear many memories and adventures. Amy grounded me and gave me love and courage when life took unexpected turns. There is a hole in my heart and it is one that will eternally remind me of how much she meant to me. Rest in peace and love, Amy. 

Until We Meet Again

Dear Amy,

We are so grateful to grow up with you, and cherish your kindness. You were full of vitality, warmth and generosity. My heart hurts that you were called to leave us so soon. You will be dearly missed. Hope you are resting peacefully with the angels above.

Light and love to Lola Merced, Lolo Amante, Armand and family.

Amy - you had the sweetest soul of anyone I ever met.  You never forgot a birthday, always smiled and had something good to say.  I only knew you for 16 years, it wasn't nearly long enough. 

Rest In Peace my friend,

Amy,

Because of you.....

  * I discovered the ukulele,
  * I heard the beat of the Tahitian drum,
  * I fanned out to Supernatural,
  * I geeked out at ComicCon.

Because of you....

Rest in peace my dear friend.

Aloha 'Oe.....

I have been blessed to know Amy for many, many years. Our friendship started when I needed to break my $20 so I could buy a snack from the vending machine. There she was with a wallet of crisp bills to save the day. That turned into endless adventures together, mostly in her Ford Escape...lunches, dinners, Hawaiian concerts, the San Diego Fair, manis & pedis, shopping, slices of cheesecake, lots of pazookies from BJ's (with ice cream on the side)and trips to Vegas where we would request extra amenities for her to take home and she would make us sleep in freezing hotel rooms. We spent most of our time together doing nothing in particular, just talking, over dinner and dessert...sharing stories about our lives,  about our frustrations, our families, and our hopes and dreams of winning the lotto and moving to Hawaii. I miss her - but I am grateful for all the time I have spent with her. She has a special place in our family and I know she is somewhere beautiful with the air conditioning on full blast. 

I love you, forever, my dear friend. 
Rest in Paradise.

Amy, you were like a sister to me. We grew up together and have many memories that I will cherish forever. You were also one of the smartest people I have ever known. Thank you for being so loving, caring and kind to my family especially to our boys Kyle and Justin. I also know you loved your family very much. I will miss your smiling face. Rest in peace, Amy.❤

Amy's smile always made us feel welcomed at gatherings. We remember how caring and loving she was toward  Alaya, Kaitlin and her family & friends. Amy's love of life, friends & family will live always in our hearts.
Allan, Cathy, Ethan & Patrick Delacruz


Amy, I will always remember your loving smile and your funny jokes you would say, especially at times when I least would expect it! You always had a big warm hug to greet me with when I would come home to visit. As long as I've known you, I've always thought of you as one of the most kind hearted, humble and thoughtful person I know. Your tragic passing has left many of our hearts empty, but we must try to feel blessed because of the love, friendships and beautiful memories that you filled our hearts with.   
I find comfort in knowing that one day I will feel your warm hug and see your loving smile once again.  Aloha 'Oe, until we meet again. 
Rest in forever Peace.

We will always remember Amy's great smile and sunny outlook on life! Rest In Peace.

I'm so sorry to hear of Amy's passing and I send you my deepest condolences.  Amy was a friend from Elementary school at Silverwing and in Junior High school.  I can still remember her playing on the playground with her best friend Jocelyn, and remember her profound kindness for as long as I have known her.  Even running into her after many years at the city offices in Chula Vista, it was as though we were still little kids and as if no time had passed since we had last seen eachother.  She has always been a remarkable and gentle person and she will be missed dearly.  May the Lord bless you with peace and comfort.  May the perpetual light of our Lord shine upon her always and may she rest in peace in the presence of God, and all of our friends and family that have gone before her.  Peace be with you.

To our dearest Tita Amy,

You have shown our family love and kindness and that only shows how great of a person you are. We are truly blessed to have experience you pure heart even in a short time. Today, we will celebrate the day that you came back home to our Lord. We will truly miss you Tita Amy. It saddens us to not be able to see you, hear you and be with you but with God's grace, we know that you will forever remain in our hearts and memory. We are continuously praying for you and also praying for the family to have strength as we go through this. 

Thank you, Tita Amy.

-Julma Dizon

To Manang Merced and Family

Condolence for the passing away of Amy. May perpetual light shine upon her and may she rest in peace.  We will pray for her soul. Regards and God bless

-- Nena Domingo and Family

Your early passing to join our Creator is truly a sad thing for us. The good memories with you when we visited your place will stay in our hearts forever. Rest assured that you are always included in our prayers.  We know that you are now with the Lord and resting in peace.  Amy, thank you for everything.

-- Manong Boy &  Manang Mary Dizon, Philippines

                            EULOGY FOR A BELOVED COUSIN

We, your relatives on your mother's side, are feeling the pain of losing you and those of us who are in the Philippines are very sad that we could not be with you physically as you spend your last days among the living.  We hope that your spirit will be able to hear us through this message so that you will know how much we love you till the end.
Since your birth in the Philippines, we have loved you as a member of our family and we could still remember and cherish how we carried you in our arms while still a baby before going to the United States.  We have monitored your childhood in your new homeland and we are happy to know that you have grown up to be a loving, caring daughter and also good to your relatives who live in the Philippines.  Indeed, you did not forget us and we are thankful to you for being generous and nice to us.  Words can not describe how we are grateful and happy to have you as our relative.  Now, we bid you goodbye and hope that your journey to another life is guided by the hands of God and angels will meet you at the entrance to Paradise.  Goodbye Amy, our dear cousin, go in peace with the Lord and we hope that someday, somewhere, we will be meeting you again.

                                        FROM: THE DIZON FAMILY

Dear Abalayans  Amante and Mercy, 
Our precious quotes:
No farewell words were spoken, no
time to say goodbye, Amy you were gone before we knew it, only God knows why
You have lost a child but not lost to you, who is found to Christ, not sent away but only sent before, like into a star, which is going out of sight and shining in another world
Think of her then not as dead but living and touched by the Divine Hand

Amy: Now listen to the football in your heart, I am not gone but merely within you
With our love and prayers ..Letty and Buddy Olivar

AMERINA - I will miss you always and love you forever. ❤ We were sisters, not just cousins.  You were my best friend and future Maid of Honor.   You were a beautiful person, inside and out.  You definitely loved and lived the spirit of Aloha.  We were lucky to know you and be loved by you. 

I know you are at peace and no longer in pain or suffering.  The Angels will welcome you home and you will never be alone again.  

May you rest in everlasting peace. ❤

OBITUARY

Amy Dizon Partosan

August 29, 1968 – December 10, 2017

Funeraria del Angel Chula Vista

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