Olympia Payon Ignacio

Olympia Payon Ignacio, age 100, of Garland, Texas passed away April 7, 2016 at her home following a brief illness.

Olympia was born on December 13, 1915 in San Manuel, Pangasinan, Philippines to Juan Payon and Maria (Cruz) Payon.

Following elementary and high school she graduated as a teacher from Philippine National Teachers College. Olympia taught grades one through six for over thirty six years.

Olympia was united in marriage on January 12, 1944 to Rev. Silverio Ignacio. Their marriage was blessed by four children: Eleanor, Estela, Susan, and Stanley.

They were both born Catholic but converted to Methodism by the late Rev.Oscar B.O. Peterson, the first Methodist Episcopal Missionary to the Philippines. Rev. Ignacio served the Northern Philippine Methodist Conference for 46 years as District Superintendent and pastor. Olympic faithfully supported her husband throughout his pastoral career. Often her teacher's salary supported both her husband's ministry and the family. Upon their retirement Olympia and her husband immigrated to the United States in 1971.

Olympia is survived by children, Eleanor Duncan, Estela (Jun) Pagaduan, Susan (Yoshio) Maruyama, and Stanley (Ophelia) Ignacio; 8 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Paulino and Elaine Payon; sister Ester Tacuboy; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, Rev. Silverio Ignacio, her parents, a brother and two sisters.

A viewing with Family and Friends will take place 4:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, April 8, 2016 at Groove Hill Funeral Home, 3920 Samuel Blvd. in Dallas. A Memorial Service will take place at 2 PM Monday, April 11 followed by a Graveside Service at Groove Hill Memorial Park. Olympia's grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Olympia to Umphress Road United Methodist Church.